The Gold Over America Tour has been a spectacle to watch in recent times. With only the second edition of the event underway, the fusion of pop-style gymnastics has made the crowds flock to the shows in thousands. And while the tour already features some of the biggest names from the US gymnastics realm, things just got better.

In the latest outing of the tour, the audience was thrilled to witness a former legend take center stage. Dominique Moceanu, the youngest member of the Magnificent Seven was honored recently. Winning the gold medal at the Atlanta Olympics in 1996, Moceanu’s appearance was surely a heartfelt moment for the fans and all the gymnasts present on stage.

However, while reminiscing her feel-good Gold Over America Tour moments, Moceanu seems to be star-struck by the one and only Simone Biles. Biles, who has been phenomenal in her quest towards gymnastics eliteness has defied every logic to become the GOAT. And to witness her journey from being a wannabe UCLA athlete to the legend that she has become today, Moceanu was thrilled.

Taking to her Instagram, Moceanu uploaded a glimpse of her moments on the Gold Over America Tour stage. She then wrote a caption, expressing her appreciation toward Biles. Moceanu wrote, “Watching Simone’s journey-from almost becoming a UCLA Bruin to her Olympic triumphs, the acclaimed Simone Rising on Netflix, and being named SportsPro’s most marketable athlete-has been pure magic + The Gold Over America Tour showcased her unmatched spirit & dedication. It was an honor to share the stage with such extraordinary athletes—an experience forever etched in my heart.”

Now, there are ample reasons for Moceanu to go gaga over Biles. After her Tokyo debacle, almost the entire nation called her a quitter. Surprising everyone, Biles came back like a Phoenix, stronger than ever in Paris. Having notched up 3 gold and a silver at the French capital, the 27-year-old became the undisputed GOAT. Thus, when she announced her Gold Over America Tour, the ticket sales went for a joyride.

The event saw one of the biggest turnouts this year and Simone Biles was the sole reason. Everybody wanted to catch a glimpse of the legend live for at least once in their lifetime. The fact that Biles might not hang around until the LA28 Olympics further added fuel to the craze. And it is not Biles’ triumphs that make her great. Her impact on the sport has completely changed the narrative.

Simone Biles changed the narrative of being a gymnastics champion: Dominique Moceanu

Dominique Moceanu has always admired Simone Biles. Looking at how Biles was able to make her own decisions, she said after Tokyo, “Simone’s decision has made me think about that time, and how there was no compassion, no care, and absolutely no voice… I was not allowed to say I was in pain until I collapsed.” She further narrated how she could not cry openly and had to go to a private space to shed her tears.

Thus, watching Biles making the decision to put her body and mental well-being first was a welcome relief for Moceanu. Recalling the horrifying workloads the gymnasts had to take, Moceanu stated, “All of the athletes started feeling like this, because we weren’t getting enough rest, and our bodies were paying the toll… The only way you could get rest was if you absolutely had a break or something where you couldn’t walk. Otherwise you were expected to train at full capacity.”

Having been coached by Bela and Marta Karolyi, Moceanu had to undergo immense stress. Prioritizing medals over physical and mental well-being, Moceanu was pleased to see what Biles was doing. After all, a number of things changed during the Simone Biles era.

The very first women’s all-around champion was in her 30s. However, with the passing of years, the age of elite gymnastics started to come down drastically. And by the time it reached the Nadia Comaneci era, the female Olympic gymnasts were in the age bracket of 14! As per the popular narrative, a female would get a woman’s body once she is past her 20s. Thus, with increased flexibility and the ability to recover faster, coaches pushed the young ladies to take on an unimaginable workload.

Add to that, there was a set beauty pattern of how a gymnast would look- white, short, and pretty. By the time it was 20, the elite career of an Olympic gymnast was as good as over. To give some context, US Olympian Laurie Hernandez retired the same year as her father! Surprisingly, Simone Biles did not fit into any of these popular narratives.

Training under Aimee Boorman and then Cecile Landi, Biles did not fit into the beauty standards. Although she started young, the pressure of expectations got to her as well. But Biles was different. She decided to dictate her own terms and started to train in a smart way to avoid injuries. At a time when the average age of a female gymnast was decreasing, Biles came into Paris at 27! Unthinkable!

Thus, Biles winning the medals and becoming the GOAT is much more important than merely her completing the redemption. It sends a message to all the budding gymnasts that one can prolong an elite career beyond 20. Most importantly, the decision of when to retire rests on the athlete herself and not on the set stereotypes. With Simone Biles changing the narratives of modern-day gymnastics, it remains to be seen what more milestones she conquers in the days to come.