Simone Biles and Lester Holt one-on-one at Paris Olympics
Simone Biles: Reflections on Olympic Success and Legacy
In a candid interview, Simone Biles, the star gymnast, reflected on her journey to Olympic success, the significance of her accomplishments, and the impact she’s had on the sport. With her trademark humility and gratitude, Biles shared her thoughts on the past few years, the pressure of representing the United States, and her plans for the future.
Expectations and Achievements
When asked about her expectations coming into the Olympics, Biles replied, "My expectation was to go out there and win gold for Team USA, and we did just that. After that, my expectation was to go all-around and see if I could play top three, and then everything else was a cherry on top." Her performances did not disappoint, as she took home gold on the vault and silver on the floor.
Self-Care and Mental Health
Biles credited her therapist with helping her maintain her mental health throughout the competition period. She acknowledged that pressure is privilege, and that representing the United States is an incredible honor. When asked if she’d ever sat back and thought about the impact she’s had on the sport, Biles replied, "I definitely see the impact that I’ve made, but to fully understand the depth of it, I think it’ll take one day, whenever I retire, and then I’ll look back at my career and everything that I’ve done to evolve the sport."
Pressure and Legacy
When discussing the pressure of representing the United States, Biles said, "Pressure is privilege, so I’m just super excited to represent the United States every time I get the opportunity." She also reflected on the significance of having three black athletes on the podium together, acknowledging that it was a moment that might not have been fully recognized due to the time constraints of the award ceremony.
Next Steps and Reflections
Biles admitted that she’s not yet ready to talk about what’s next, but revealed that she plans to take some time to rest and recharge. When asked what she wants people to not talk to her about right now, she joked, "Just let me enjoy this moment without asking me what’s next. We work our whole entire lives for these moments, and then they’re like, ‘What’s next?’ and I’m like, ‘I just got off the medal stand, I’m going into media, and I haven’t even had a chance to really relish in this moment and be grateful for the position that I’m in.’"
Inspiration and Reflection
Biles expressed admiration for fellow athletes who have overcome incredible obstacles, including Rebecca Andrade’s return to competition after three ACL tears and Sunni’s perseverance despite kidney issues. She also mentioned her plans to bond with other American athletes and take in some of the remaining events at the Olympics.
As the interview came to a close, Biles seemed genuinely grateful and content, reflecting on the journey that has brought her to this moment. "I’m very proud of myself for how I held it together all throughout those competition days, all those routines," she said. "It’s very rigorous, however many days we compete in a row. I’m very proud of my performances, and I’m just grateful to be here, representing the United States, and making history."
