Simone Biles, the most decorated gymnast in the country's history, will return to competition in August to participate in the US Classic, hosted just outside Chicago, the Gymnastics Federation anounced Wednesday.
Coming soon to U.S. Classic...
A trio of Olympic Gold Medalists headline the list of athletes registered for the 2023 U.S. Classic, held August 4 & 5 at @NOW_Arena!
See the full list of entrants! ⤵️https://t.co/BDqSYi78b4
— USA Gymnastics (@USAGym) June 28, 2023
This is the reappearance of Simone Biles since the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games (held in 2021 as a result of the covid pandemic). The gymnast left the competition after her participation in the vault, only to return in the fixed bar, where she won bronze. Biles subsequently cited mental health reasons for not being an active part of the country's national team.
The Gymnastics Federation announced that the superstar plans to return to compete at the US Classic on August 4-5. However, the announcement of their registration does not guarantee their definitive participation in the event, according to the federation. If she returns to the track, it will be her first event since the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, when the seven-time Olympic medalist and 2016 Olympic champion decided to retire.
The US Classic is one of the most prestigious events on the gymnastics calendar and is considered a dress rehearsal before the national championships, scheduled for late August in San Jose, California. It was at those same championships that Biles returned to competition in 2018 after a two-year hiatus following the 2016 Rio Games, where she won four gold medals.
You know where we'll be August 4 & 5!
See you there!?
🎟 >> https://t.co/59Sb26NHz7 pic.twitter.com/KzAOcI7ho6
— USA Gymnastics (@USAGym) June 28, 2023