What to Know about Simone Biles at the Paris Olympics: Absent from Opening Ceremony, Leg Issue, Public Criticism & More

Simone Biles’ appearance at the Paris Olympics is being discussed online for various reasons. The superstar gymnast missed the opening ceremony, experienced an issue with her leg, and is currently at the center of public criticism for how her hair looked.

The Paris Olympics have been in full swing for a few days now, and the superstar competitors have already begun dazzling crowds with their sports prowess. Among these talents is Olympic gymnast Simone Biles, who has gone viral for several reasons. From missing the opening ceremony to having a leg issue, find out why the 27-year-old is the name on everybody’s lips.

On July 26, hoards of athletes rode boats along Paris’ River Seine during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics. However, Simone, along with some of the other members of the U.S.A. gymnastics team, was noticeably absent from the groups for a specific reason, which her doting mom, Nellie Biles, explained.

Speaking to “Today’s” Hoda Kotb, Nellie disclosed, “The first competition is Sunday, which is women’s qualifier, and, of course, she needs to rest up before that competition.”

When it came time for the Artistic Gymnastics Women’s Qualification on day 2 of the Olympics, July 28, Simone faced adversity amid the competition. Footage taken at the event showed the young athlete sitting on the sidelines with the U.S.A. Gymnastics team doctor Marcia Faustin.

The two ladies disappeared for a brief moment, after which Simone returned with medical tape wrapped around her left leg. According to a news outlet, the gymnast had to get her leg taped due to tweaking her calf during her floor exercise warmup.

While the news outlet also reports that Simone was seen walking around the venue with a limp, she did not let it show once she got onto the competition floor.