‘She’s already the GOAT’: Fans thrilled as Simone Biles returns to gymnastics in Chicago area

Maybe she’s the Michael Jordan of gymnastics, or maybe he was the Simone Biles of basketball.

Either way, Biles fans here will have a front-row seat this weekend.

Biles, often considered the greatest gymnast of all time, will make her return to the sport in Hoffman Estates on Saturday for the first time since the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where she withdrew from several competitions to protect her physical and mental health.

The seven-time Olympic medalist is competing in the annual U.S. Classic competition, much to the excitement of local gymnastics teams and clubs.

Anna Li, co-head coach at Legacy Elite Gymnastics in Aurora and former 2012 Team USA member, watched Biles practice on Friday and said the experience was exciting, as it always is to see her in action.

Li said she’s glad that Biles is here “on her own terms.”

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“It’s not like I feel like she has to prove anything to anyone. She’s already the GOAT,” Li said, referring to the abbreviation for “Greatest of All Time” and a common nickname for Biles, the most decorated gymnast in the history of the Gymnastics World Championships. Biles has embraced the title and even wore a leotard with a goat on it during a training session at the 2019 U.S. Championships.

The U.S. Classic hasn’t been hosted in Illinois since 2017 and Li said having it so close to home is always a fun experience.

A lot of gymnasts from Prairie Gymnastics Club in Batavia will be in attendance, said owner Jillian Knight, either as spectators hoping to catch a glimpse of Biles and the other three 2020 Olympians or volunteering to organize the competition.

“Just like everybody in the world, we’re just super-excited to see (Biles) come back,” Knight said. “Especially our teen kids are really excited to see that level of competition so close to home.”

Three other 2020 Olympians are competing on Saturday, including Jordan Chiles, Jade Carey and Suni Lee, the all-around champion. Lee announced in April that she was ending her college gymnastics career early due to health issues, but said she expects to be ready for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Biles hasn’t announced her intentions to compete in Paris and said last month it was still a possibility.

Tickets for the Saturday evening event when the Olympians are competing have been sold-out since the announcement of Biles’ return in June, according to USA Gymnastics officials.

Biles said in 2021 that she withdrew from Olympic competitions and changed some of her routines because of what gymnasts call the “twisties,” the loss of awareness an athlete can get midair. Since then, she hasn’t competed.

Jill Greer, spokesperson for USA Gymnastics, said they’re excited that gymnasts like Biles feel drawn back to the sport, pursuing the joy of gymnastics on their own terms.

“We feel it’s a reflection on how the sport is continuing to change in terms of our culture,” Greer said.

Biles was praised for her decision to step back in Tokyo, which she said was about prioritizing her mental and physical health. Many in the sport have said that Biles’ decision put a spotlight on general athlete well-being.

“(Biles’) impact on the sport, it lifts all boats. Her teammates are inspired by her, her fans are inspired by her, the American public is inspired by her. As long as she is doing this for the joy of the sport and having a great experience with it, then it’s a success for everyone,” Greer said.

Li said Biles is a positive role model for the sport and everyone from young girls to adults look up to her. It’s not just about her physical abilities but also her openness about mental health.

“There’s no one else that’s like her. She’s completely changed our sport. There’s no one that comes close,” Li said.

vla@chicagotribune.com