The Netflix docuseries featuring the US gymnast’s struggles won two Critics Choice Awards last week for Best Sports Documentary and Best Limited Documentary Series. The four-part production follows the decorated athlete in the lead-up to her highly anticipated return to the Olympics.
The documentary, which debuted in July ahead of the Paris 2024 Games, offers viewers an inside look at the life of an elite athlete and unveils the toxic culture of competitive gymnastics. Biles shows the vulnerability behind her strength as she works to bounce back from the mental health crisis that led to her withdrawing from the previous Olympics in Tokyo.
Since the release, ‘Simone Biles Rising’ has quickly become a crowd favourite as her raw, powerful journey through her struggles, mentally and physically, made the gymnastic superstar relatable to audiences everywhere.
The documentary’s second instalment follows Biles as she returns to the Olympic stage in Paris, where she won four medals — three of them gold. It also shows her relationship with her husband, NFL player Jonathan Owens, as he supports her through the pressure and injury.
Biles, who just finished her Gold Over American Tour, shared her delight on her Instagram stories. She also said that she was back at the World Champions Centre, the gym owned by her parents just taking it all in before planning her future.
The 27-year-old has not confirmed whether she will retire just yet, and has said she prefers to leave the door open as “the next Olympics (Los Angeles 2028) is on home turf.”
Whether she will continue to compete at an elite level or not, the star has certainly been keeping busy. Aside from being on tour, she recently dropped a limited-edition athleisure collection with Athleta and plans to open a restaurant in Houston called ‘Taste of Gold’.