Gymnast performs at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris
Three years after withdrawing from the Tokyo Olympics (which were held in 2021 instead of 2020 due to the pandemic), celebrated gymnast Simone Biles returned to the Paris Olympics determined to regain her title. In the years between the Olympics, naysayers had criticized the gold medalist for choosing to take a step back and focus on her mental health. In the first half of the Katie Walsh-directed four-part docuseries “Simone Biles Rising,” Biles opens up about her glamorous career and the struggles that led to her setback in Tokyo. The final episodes of “Rising” focus on the 2024 Paris Games and the woman and athlete Biles has become. Full of raw and inspiring moments, with breathtaking images of gymnastics competitions, part 2 of “Rising” is both a celebration and a beautiful ending.
Part 2 begins in July 2024 in Paris. The camera sees Biles, her mother, Nellie, and her sister, Adria, enjoying the pastries, sights, and shops in the City of Light. But this is just the calm before the storm. During a confessional, Biles reflects on an injury she suffered during qualifications in Paris. Although she feels good mentally, her body – especially her calf – may not be up to the task.
From these opening scenes, Episode 3, “I Will Defy the Odds,” rewinds four months to March 14, 2024, Biles’ 27th birthday. While her husband, NFL player Jonathan Owens, and her mother are eager to celebrate, for Biles this is another tough day at the gym, a reminder of her age and the wear and tear on her body. Most female gymnasts retire long before their mid-20s. Despite all odds, Biles would become the oldest female American gymnast to compete in the Olympics since the 1950s.
“Rising” works beautifully as it weaves Biles’ career into the history of gymnastics. In interviews with historians, legendary Olympian Nadia Comăneci and Laurie Hernandez (former Olympian and delightful commentator), the series illustrates how the sport has changed over the decades and how the little pixie gymnast was born after Comăneci’s historic gold medal win at Age 14 at the 1976 Olympics. If Biles can play three consecutive matches at her age without significant injuries, it proves that valuing mental and physical well-being equally could be a game-changer for newcomers.
After Biles’ birthday, the show flashes forward to the Olympic gymnastics trials in Minnesota and to the Paris Games. Viewers who watched the summer games will remember Biles jumping off the mat the day before the team finals. The calf tear she suffered was terrifying and gave viewers flashbacks to Tokyo as they watched Biles crawl after her warm-up, but she never wavered. The cameras show her enduring the pain and refusing to be buried under the weight of millions of opinions and expectations.
The first half of the series focused on Biles reclaiming her voice and revealing the toxic culture that had been ingrained in competitive gymnastics for decades. However, the last two episodes are all about the beauty of the sport. Episode 4, “I Will Rise,” pits Biles against Brazilian gymnast Rebeca Andrade, who gave Biles a run for her money in technique and difficulty.
Additionally, the audience sees more glimpses into Biles’ personal life. In Episode 3, Biles and Owens addressed the public backlash against him when he shared on a podcast that he didn’t know who she was before they were romantically involved. Chicago Bears security was criticized in the media, prompting Biles to speak out in support of her marriage and delete her X account (formally known as Twitter). Despite the external drama, “Rising” shows the couple’s support and love for each other. Biles watches as Owens throws the first pitch at a Chicago White Sox game, and later, wearing a personalized Biles T-shirt, Owens watches the competitions and scoreboard like a hawk during the Paris Games. While the world often forgets the humanity of public figures, the two athletes together have created a bubble of safety and understanding.
“Simone Biles Rising” Part 2 isn’t as compelling as Part 1, but the show remains compelling. In addition to the friendly rivalry between Biles and Andrade in the Woman’s All-Around, audiences will see plenty of lighter moments, including the Olympian and her teammate Jordan Chiles’ apprehensive reaction to their outfit for Ralph Lauren’s Opening Ceremony, Owens’ attempt to the Biles’ pre-match anxiety and later the abundance of tears and relief as the matches end. While the series showcases Biles’ legacy, it is also a great reflection of a champion who defied all odds.
“Simone Biles Rising” Part 2 premieres on Netflix on October 25.
