Simone Biles knows all too well the difference between her 2021 Gold Over America Tour and its current year successor. The famed Olympic gymnast remembered the tough times of three years ago, during an interview with California News, Essentially Sports reports.
In 2021, Biles faced a flurry of negative opinions after the “twisties” caused her to bow out of the Tokyo Olympics. By the time the situation blew over, Biles endured accusations of failing the country and her team, something so far from how she felt.
“Oh, America hates me,” she once said, expressing how deeply the negative reactions affected her.
Biles’ feelings at the time came out beyond her internal thoughts. Essentially Sports noted the theme for the 2021 GOAT tour carried “an undertone of depicting the emotions one feels when hitting rock bottom.” Fast forward to this year and Biles is still beaming from her medal-winning performance in the Paris Olympics and a different mindset with excitement over the concert-style energy of the upcoming 2024 tour.
The outing, which is set up to hit 30 stops across America, finds Biles ready to perform in front of sports fans without the stress of competition.
I’m so honored and excited to welcome these incredible and courageous athletes to the tour for an amazing and unforgettable journey,” she said while taking in her responsibility toward the next generation of gymnasts. “This tour is not only about amazing performances, but connecting with communities and building up the confidence of the next generation of athletes. We…can’t wait to take a victory lap around the U.S. and celebrate with all the fans this fall,” .
As for what she expects from the 2024 GOAT tour, Biles wasn’t shy in letting folk know what she’s got in mind.
“One, [being] confident and having fun watching the show and I think we do a little bit of storytelling. I know we touched on anxiety and being at a low point in life in 2021, so this is more of a celebration of how you get out of there.”
For the new crop of gymnasts that will come after her, the athletic legend voiced how the tour marks the fact that “Obviously, it’s still a story to be told throughout our show.
“It’s not just high-flying gymnastics. We like a story so the kids can walk away gaining something. I hope they know they’re not alone and we all go through these, even as elite athletes,” Biles continued.
