Athletics: Olympic Medallist Simone Biles Back From Hiatus
On Wednesday, USA Gymnastics announced that Four-time Olympic gold medallist Simone Biles will return to competition in early August at the US Classic in Chicago, in what will be her first event since the Tokyo Games in 2021.
Biles, 26, will take part in the single-day event on August 5th, having been out of action for the past two years following her withdrawal from several events in Tokyo.
The American, who won four gold medals at the 2016 Rio Olympics, cited the pressure of living up to expectations and a need to protect her mental health for her decision to pull out of events in Tokyo.
Coming soon to U.S. Classic…
A trio of Olympic Gold Medalists headline the list of athletes registered for the 2023 U.S. Classic, held August 4 & 5 at @NOW_Arena!
See the full list of entrants! ⤵️https://t.co/BDqSYi78b4
— USA Gymnastics (@USAGym) June 28, 2023
“The current (registration) list includes 12 Olympic and 16 World Championships team roster members,” said USA Gymnastics in a statement.
“Together, they have won 60 Olympic and World Championships medals, with 12 from the Games and 48 from Worlds. Those tallies include a combined 46 World or Olympic medals earned by Biles (32), Carey (8) and Lee (6).”
Biles won a bronze on the balance beam and a silver in the team competition, from which she withdrew after one vault. That took her Olympic tally to seven medals, equalling Shannon Miller as the American female gymnast with the most Games medals.
Sunisa Lee, who shone in her compatriot’s absence by winning the all-around competition in Tokyo, and Jade Carey, who won gold on floor, are also part of the elite women’s field.
