Simone Biles signals a return to elite competition

Simone Biles, the seven-time Olympic medalist who withdrew from most of the gymnastics competitions at the Tokyo Games due to a mental block, is signaling a return to elite competition in a feeder event that would eventually secure a spot in the next Paris Games. could mean years.

USA Gymnastics said that on Wednesday that Biles was listed as a participant in the US Classic, an August showcase in Chicago, the final qualifying event for the US National Championships.

Biles’ inclusion on the list, alongside past champions and current contenders, doesn’t clearly indicate she intends to compete in Paris, but it does make that possible. USA Gymnastics said registering for the US Classic “does not guarantee participation”.

Biles competed in the first and last events at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, but missed almost everything else as a mental block caused her to lose her sense of where her body was in the air. Her withdrawal became perhaps the biggest surprise of the Games, sparking conversation and debate about how elite athletes need to balance their mental health and desire to compete.

This is a breaking story and will be updated.