Simone Biles makes return to competition after 2yr absence

Simone Biles makes return to competition after 2yr absence

Simone Biles achieved a 14 on the uneven bars and a 14.8 on the balancing beam in front of a capacity crowd at the Core Hydration Classic in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, just outside Chicago, in her first competitive event since 2021.

Later this evening, the seven-time Olympic medalist is scheduled to participate on the floor and vault.

Biles competed professionally for the first time on Saturday after withdrawing from several events at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.

Her 14 outperformed challengers Jordan Chiles, Leanne Wong, and Katelyn Jong. The score is determined by two factors: difficulty and execution.

A spokesman for USA Gymnastics confirmed to CNN that Biles is registered to compete in all four events at this weekend's Core Hydration Classic (formerly known as the US Classic).

The 26-year-old athlete withdrew from the women's team final in Tokyo due to "twisties" - a mental block that leads gymnasts to lose sight of their position in midair.

Biles chose not to compete in four individual finals at the Tokyo Games, but she did compete in the balance beam, where she won bronze after incorporating a modified dismount into her performance.

The Core Hydration Classic is the final chance for athletes to qualify for the national finals, which will be held later this month in San Jose, California.

The global gymnastics championships are then set to take place in Antwerp, Belgium, between September 30 and October 8.

On Saturday, a sellout audience is expected at Hoffman Estates, where fans will be anxious to watch not only Biles' much-anticipated return, but also returning Olympic gold medalist Sunisa Lee.

Biles is the most decorated gymnast in American history, having won 32 medals in the Olympics and world championships. She has four gold medals from the Olympics and 19 gold medals from the world championships, the most of any gymnast in history.

Although Biles has registered to compete in all four events this weekend, competitors may choose not to compete on any of the apparatus at any time.

Biles is returning to gymnastics after a two-year break as a well-known advocate for mental health. Even after the Olympics, she stated that she was "scared to do gymnastics," but she recently stated on Instagram that she is "twisting again." Not to worry. "Everything is fine."

She has made few public comments about her comeback to the sport, but she did express her enthusiasm last month on social media, saying, "Sorry I've been a little MIA since the announcement." I'm thrilled by your messages, love, and support! "I can't wait to get back on the competition floor!"

For those accustomed to seeing Biles easily dominate events, her departure in 2021 was a surprise. For those more accustomed with the sport's rigorous physical and psychological demands, Biles' decision to withdraw from the competition was more unprecedented than shocking.

"(Biles' departure) was shocking because no one else in gymnastics had ever stood up and said, 'Enough.'" Right now, this is enough, and I need to take care of myself regardless of what everyone expects from me on the world's biggest stage,'" sports journalist and author Joan Ryan told CNN Sport.

Fans and fellow athletes alike are thrilled to see the gymnastics legend back in action, and with the opening ceremony of the 2016 Olympics less than a year away, what else is in store for the most decorated US gymnast in history?

Watching Biles and Lee Compete

The senior women's sessions will be televised live on CNBC, NBCSports.com, and the NBC Sports app in the United States on Saturday, while Peacock will stream the contests simultaneously.

The first senior women's session runs from 1 p.m. ET to 3 p.m. ET, with platforms airing the session beginning at 2 p.m. ET. Biles competes in the second session.

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