Simone Biles’ return to gymnastics after her appearance at the 2024 Paris Olympics was largely driven by the desire to prove herself once again. She didn’t want to be labeled a quitter, a powerful motivator after her difficult experience at the 2020 Tokyo Games and nearly two years away from competition.
Ahead of her performance at Bercy Arena in Paris, Netflix released the first two episodes of her docuseries, Simone Biles Rising. The series documents her inspiring comeback and the pivotal role her parents played during the tough moments in her career.
The docuseries received special access to follow Biles during the Paris Olympics. Despite battling a calf strain, Biles secured three gold medals and one silver. A trailer for the second part of the series, released on October 3, hinted at even more revelations, with a release date of October 25. In the trailer, Biles shares her goal of winning the Olympics, but hints that the future after that remains uncertain, with her commenting, “Shh, because I’m only telling you guys.”
The trailer also highlights the intense physical demands Biles faced as she prepared for the Paris Games at 27 years old. She candidly spoke about how her body felt like “a ticking time bomb,” illustrating the toll her gymnastics career has taken on her physically. Through it all, her husband, Jonathan Owens, has been a constant source of support, standing by her side during her journey.
Biles’ comeback at the Paris Olympics symbolized triumph over adversity. Her early life was marked by challenges, including being placed in foster care due to her biological mother’s struggles with addiction. Eventually, she was adopted by her grandparents, Nellie and Ron.
Biles has also been transparent about her mental health struggles, particularly when she withdrew from the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, citing the “twisties.” Despite these difficulties, she returned to competition and earned a spot in the Paris Olympics, despite being older than many of her peers.
Throughout her journey, Biles has relied heavily on Owens, who understands the pressures of the public eye. In the documentary, Owens emphasizes the importance of vulnerability in their relationship, particularly during difficult times like her withdrawal from the Tokyo Games. Biles, known as one of the greatest gymnasts of all time with 30 medals, including 27 golds, has often spoken about the immense pressure she faces, once describing it as feeling “the weight of the world” on her shoulders.
Despite her success in Paris, Biles isn’t in a rush to commit to the 2028 Olympic Games. During an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, she humorously deflected questions about her future, saying, “Can’t I live?” At 27, she acknowledges the challenges of aging in gymnastics but enjoys her life outside the sport. Reflecting on her performance in Paris, she called it a form of “redemption” after the struggles she faced in Tokyo. Now, Biles is focused on inspiring the next generation and ensuring her legacy extends beyond just her medal count.
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