While the Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony dazzled with stars like Steph Curry, LeBron James, Kelsey Plum, and Coco Gauff, one notable absence was gymnastics legend Simone Biles. The decision for Biles to skip the ceremony was confirmed by her mother, Nellie Biles, who emphasized the gymnast’s need for rest before her upcoming competitions.
Nellie Biles shared in an interview with NBC News’ Hoda Kotb that Simone would be resting instead of participating in the Opening Ceremony’s Parade of Nations. “The first competition is Sunday, which is women’s qualifier, and of course she needs to rest up before that competition,” Nellie Biles explained. “She is feeling really good. Spoke to her this morning and she’s doing great.”
Simone Biles, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest gymnasts of all time, is scheduled to begin her Olympic journey on Sunday, July 28, with the team qualifying events. The competition will kick off at 3:30 a.m. ET and will be broadcast on Peacock with later sessions available on NBC New York.
Following the qualifiers, Biles will compete in several key events:
- July 30: Women’s Team Final at 12:15 p.m. ET, available on NBC and streaming on Peacock.
- August 1: Women’s All-Around Final at 12:15 p.m. ET.
- August 3: Women’s Vault Final at 10:20 a.m. ET.
- August 4: Women’s Uneven Bars Final at 9:00 a.m. ET.
- August 5: Women’s Balance Beam Finals at 6:36 a.m. ET, followed by the Women’s Floor Exercise Finals at 8:20 a.m. ET.
Simone’s participation in the finals will depend on her performance in the earlier rounds. Her presence in the individual events is contingent upon qualifying for each final.
For viewers eager to follow Biles’ performances and other gymnastics events, coverage will be available on NBC New York, USA Network, and E! with streaming options on Peacock, NBCOlympics.com, and the NBC app.
Biles’ strategic decision to prioritize her competitions underscores her commitment to peak performance and readiness for the high-stakes challenges ahead. As the gymnastics events unfold, fans can look forward to watching one of the sport’s most decorated athletes compete for gold.
You can view the full Olympics schedule and access streaming options to catch all the gymnastics action as it happens.
