Simone Biles is hoping for a better experience at the Paris Games after her struggles in Tokyo three years ago (Picture: Getty)
One of the greatest athletes in the history of the Olympics, Simone Biles, is due to make her bow in the Paris Games.
The American superstar already has four gold medals under her belt, but endured a torrid time of it Tokyo three years ago.
Suffering from ‘the twisties’ Biles was forced to withdraw from several events and ultimately ended up taking a two-year hiatus from the sport she once dominated.
What are the twisties?
Biles is far from alone in having faced a phenomena that is best described as a mental block that impact the spatial awareness of gymnasts.
The 27-year-old was particularly badly affected by the twisties during the vault competition during which her timing was well off as she struggled to nail her routine.
Asked to explain the twisties, Biles’ teammate Laurie Hernandez explained: ‘The rhythm is off, and your brain will like stutter step for half a second and that’s enough to throw off the whole skill. And, so, it happens, and it takes a second to get over that.
Former U.S. national team member Aleah Finnegan gave her insight on Twitter, writing ‘I’ve had the twisties since I was 11. I cannot imagine the fear of having it happen to you during competition.’
When is Simone Biles competing at the Paris Olympics?
Having made a triumphant return to gymnastics and with her mental health now in a far better place, Biles is expecting to add to her Olympic legacy in Paris.
Speaking last year, she said: ‘I always kind of knew (I’d be back) as soon as everything that happened in Tokyo.
‘So, this time I’m doing it for me. I worked a lot on myself and I believe in myself a little bit more, just coming back out here and starting the first steps again.
‘It means the world because after everything that kind of transpired in Tokyo and it took a lot.
‘I worked on myself a lot, I still do therapy weekly and it’s just been so exciting to come out here and have the confidence I had before.’
What events is Simone Biles competing in?
28 July – Team Qualifying: Simone Biles is making her first appearance in the team qualifying events. She will feature alongside her USA teammates (Jordan Chiles, Hezly Rivera and Sunisa Lee) in Subdivision 2 from 10:40am BST (11:40am CET and 5:40am ET).
30 July – Women’s team final: The women’s team final begins at 5:15pm BST (6:15pm CET and 12:15 ET).
1 August – Women’s all-around final: The women’s all-around final begins at 5:15pm BST (6:15pm CET and 12:15 ET).
3 August – Women’s vault final:
The women’s vault final begins at begins at 3:20pm BST (4:20pm CET and 10:20am ET).
4 August – Women’s uneven bar final:
The women’s uneven bars final begins at 2:40pm BST (3:40pm CET and 9:40am ET).
5 August – Women’s balance beam finals:
The women’s balance beam finals begins at 11:38am BST (12:38pm CET and 6:38am ET).
5 August – Women’s floor exercise finals:
The women’s floor exercise final begins at 1:23am BST (2:23pm CET and 8:23am ET).
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