Simone Biles set to return to competitive gymnastics for first time since 2021 after Tokyo Olympics withdrawal

Simone Biles is set to compete at her first event since the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The seven-time Olympic medallist will take part in the US Classic in early August. Ad Biles, 26, has largely stepped away from the sport since the Olympics in 2021, when she pulled out of four individual finals to protect her mental health.

GymnasticsJessica Gadirova still adapting to newfound stardom15/05/2023 AT 08:27 She returned to compete in the balance beam final and won a bronze medal. She later said she should have withdrawn from competition before the Olympics and that the «scars of horrific abuse» by former USA Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar had affected her at the Games. Biles testified at a US senate hearing into the Nassar abuse scandal in September 2021.

Athletes abused by Nassar reached a $380m settlement with governing bodies later in 2021 following a five-year legal battle. Biles’ decision to return for the US Classic could open the door for a run at competing at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The US Classic is a warm-up event for the national championships later in August in San Jose.

Biles returned at the US Classic in 2018 after a two-year hiatus. Biles: I should have stepped away before Tokyo Downie retires from gymnastics 'to prioritise mental health' She went on to win multiple gold medals at the World Championships that year as well as in 2019. “It is exciting to think about the level of talent and historical legacy of the field that may compete at US Classic,” said USA Gymnastics chief programs officer Stefanie Korepin.