The Simone Biles-led Gold Over America Tour is currently underway, and the gymnasts involved are navigating a demanding schedule. Gymnasts such as Peng Lee, Katelyn Ohashi, Joscelyn Roberson, and Mélanie de Jesus dos Santos recently shared their experiences of life on the road and how they manage their commitments.
The Gold Over America Tour was first introduced by Biles after the Tokyo Olympics, quickly becoming a success. In 2021, the tour featured 34 shows across 32 cities, generating over $19 million in revenue. In 2024, the tour was revamped for a second edition, featuring nearly 20 gymnasts performing in 32 shows from September to November. In a recent interview, Lee, Ohashi, Roberson, and dos Santos opened up about the challenges of their busy schedules.
Ohashi mentioned that the gymnasts often sleep on the bus in built-in bunks, only staying in hotels on off days. Despite the hectic schedule, she described the experience as fun, waking up alongside her friends. Lee added that the demanding schedule has left the gymnasts struggling to keep track of time, stating, “We don’t really know what day it is anymore. Nighttime seems like daytime, and it’s just totally different than what you’re used to as an athlete.”
For Biles, the first iteration of the tour followed her decision to withdraw from the Tokyo Olympics to focus on her mental health. The original show emphasized the importance of well-being. In contrast, the second edition comes after her successful run at the Paris Olympics, where Biles highlights how taking care of oneself leads to success. She expressed excitement about this new message, which the tour seeks to convey: that self-care is essential to achieving one’s goals.
Currently, the Gold Over America Tour is in Austin, Texas, and will move to Ohio next week, with shows running until early November, culminating in Detroit, Michigan.
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