Will Netflix’s Simone Biles Rising Focus on Her Olympic Rivalry?

Will Netflix's Simone Biles Rising Focus on Her Olympic Rivalry?

Summary

  • Simone Biles Rising
    humanizes the gymnastics legend, showing her as a regular person with extraordinary talent.
  • The docu-series is shaping how people react to elite athletes like Biles in the more free-spirited Olympic environment.
  • Biles’ story in the series includes insights from her family and husband, revealing the struggles she overcame to achieve success.

As I delve deeper into the inspiring story of Simone Biles, I am truly awestruck by her resilience and determination. Born into a world where the odds were stacked against her, she refused to let her past define her future. Her journey from foster care to Olympic gold is nothing short of miraculous, a testament to her indomitable spirit and unwavering willpower.


On July 17, 2024, the series titled “Unveiling Simone Biles” premiered on Netflix, preceding the Paris 2024 Olympics. Since then, it has consistently been among Netflix’s top picks. As the gymnastics competitions in Paris gain prominence, the show’s popularity continues to grow. The docu-series offers a comprehensive look into Biles’s well-known health crisis during the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, exploring the circumstances surrounding it, her response to public opinion, and her journey towards the 2024 Olympic Games. However, it does far more than that; primarily, it presents Simone Biles as a real person. Regardless of whether you perceive her as an unattainable perfection or define her by one mishap four years ago, this series offers a multi-faceted portrayal of an ordinary individual with exceptional skill.

In essence, it can be accurately stated that Simone Biles’ ascension in these Olympic Games is influencing, in the present moment, how the public perceives her and other top athletes. The era of Karolyi and the demanding, no-mercy training philosophy they enforced has passed. Simone Biles acknowledges this shift herself, explaining to her younger peers that the atmosphere has changed, describing it as more laid-back and less rigid compared to earlier times.

As a passionate moviegoer might put it: Critics may continue to hail her as the greatest of all time, but this time around, there’s an undeniable aura of happiness radiating from her. For example, when Rebecca Andrade of Brazil outperformed her during the Floor competition, Simone Biles and bronze medalist Jordan Chiles gracefully bowed in response. This gesture, captured and shared widely, showcases that fans are equally enthralled by Biles’ journey, eager to follow her every move.

The Biles Family Were Prominently Featured in Simone Biles Rising

Will Netflix's Simone Biles Rising Focus on Her Olympic Rivalry?Will Netflix's Simone Biles Rising Focus on Her Olympic Rivalry?Will Netflix's Simone Biles Rising Focus on Her Olympic Rivalry?Will Netflix's Simone Biles Rising Focus on Her Olympic Rivalry?

In the upcoming season of “Simone Biles Rising,” set for release this fall, we’ll be privy to her journey towards the 2024 Olympic Games, but don’t expect it to solely focus on the Olympics. Just as the first two episodes didn’t delve deep into the 2020 Games, this season promises a more intimate exploration of Simone Biles herself. Much like before, her parents and her husband, NFL safety Jonathan Owens, are likely to play significant roles. They offered crucial insights that fleshed out her narrative, such as when her parents (her biological grandparents) shared their experiences about Biles and her sister Adria’s time in the foster care system and their subsequent adoption. As Biles herself has stated, without their intervention, she might not have reached the heights she has today.

“I was very fortunate to have me and Adria adopted by my grandparents, who are now officially my parents. That was probably the hardest thing for them to do, to not only take us in, but to see if they could repair our trauma. Whenever you’re in foster care, and you come out of it, the odds are against you. So for me, I was always that kid where if somebody told me I couldn’t do something, I would.”

Additionally, Owens also contributed to Biles’ narrative by explaining that during her struggle with mental health issues, he urged her to seek therapy. Nowadays, Biles emphasizes the importance of regular therapy sessions – every Thursday without fail. The benefits are clearly visible as she demonstrated in the 2024 Olympic trials, where she effortlessly took the lead with a total score of 117.225. In the actual Games, she won three gold medals and one silver. However, her only hiccup was an instance where her immense power and speed caused her to step out of bounds in one event. Despite these minor errors, they serve as a humbling reminder that Biles, despite her extraordinary performances, is still human, just like the rest of us, after three nearly perfect displays.

Rebeca and Simone’s Friendly Rivalry Were a Huge Part of Simone’s Story These Olympics

Will Netflix's Simone Biles Rising Focus on Her Olympic Rivalry?Will Netflix's Simone Biles Rising Focus on Her Olympic Rivalry?Will Netflix's Simone Biles Rising Focus on Her Olympic Rivalry?Will Netflix's Simone Biles Rising Focus on Her Olympic Rivalry?

However, Simone Biles would not have missed out on the gold if Rebeca Andrade hadn’t performed exceptionally well. The floor event is something Biles hasn’t lost since 2015, but her bowing was one of several acts of sportsmanship and respect she displayed throughout the tournament. After winning the all-around competition, Biles humorously commented on the matter in a press conference.

“I no longer wish to contend against Rebecca anymore; I’m exhausted! She’s far too close for comfort. To be honest, I’ve never had an opponent as near before, and it has definitely kept me on my toes, bringing out the best in me. However, I find myself feeling uneasy now. Truthfully, I was under a lot of pressure.”

Furthermore, Biles and Andrade were often seen embracing and joking during rotation breaks. It seemed Andrade was just as frequently on-screen as Biles’ coaches or fellow Team USA members. Given her prominent role, it’s quite possible that we’ll learn more about her in the upcoming installments.

One of the sports documentaries to surface this year, titled “Simone Biles Rising“, is set to air two episodes this coming Fall 2024, alongside another, the Netflix series “Sprint” which highlights notable track-and-field athletes. Notably, there’s also the series “America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders“, offering a glimpse into the low-wage yet high-pressure world of one of the world’s most iconic cheerleading squads. Keep an eye out for the upcoming episodes of “Simone Biles Rising” on Netflix this Fall 2024!

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2024-08-11 02:31