When viewers tuned in to the Opening Ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, one familiar face was noticeably absent.
Simone Biles opted not to attend the star-studded event, which took place on Friday night at the Seine, alongside the United States team.
However, her parents, Ronald and Nellie Biles, were quick to explain her absence during an interview with NBC News Hoda Kotb and Snoop Dogg-Diaz
“The first competition is on Sunday,” Nellie explained, “which is the women’s qualifying round. And of course she needs to rest before that competition.”
The 27-year-old was advised to avoid lengthy procedures, along with teammates Suni Lee, Hezly Rivera, Jordan Chiles and Jade Carey.
Simone Biles chose not to attend the opening ceremony, held on Friday evening at the Seine.
The 27-year-old was advised to skip the long event as the gymnastics event starts on Sunday.
Nellie added: “She’s feeling really good. I spoke to her this morning and she’s doing really well. She’s in a really good place.”
Simone’s parents will be cheering her on along with her husband, Jonathan Owens, who was granted an exemption to miss Chicago Bears practice during the Games.
“I can’t wait to be able to support her,” he told reporters Thursday.
“How did I get so lucky? That this is my wife and I get to see someone who is literally at the top of her sport and I get to call her my wife. It’s unbelievable. There are no words to describe it, I’m just blessed.”
The 2024 Games mark Simone’s third Olympic appearance, and come three years after she withdrew from the all-around competition in Tokyo due to the twists.
Biles withdrew from part of the Tokyo Olympics due to a condition known as ‘twisties’
She hopes to once again taste gold in Paris as she did in Rio at the 2016 Olympic Games.
The condition is a mental state in which gymnasts are unable to recognize where they are in the air during a routine.
Because of the high degree of difficulty of the movements Biles is capable of performing, competing with the twisties can lead to serious injuries.
“I’m doing therapy weekly to keep everything in tune and feel comfortable and confident enough to compete,” Simone told ELLE earlier this month.
“It’s been a crucial part of my training regimen. I understand and realize that I have to take care of my physical and mental aspects.”
At 27 years old, Biles is now the oldest member of the team and is scheduled to compete in a wide range of events in Paris.