Simone Biles, the renowned gymnast who has redefined the limits of the sport, is poised to make her long-awaited return to competition this Saturday at the U.S. Classic. After her triumphant performance at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, where she won two medals but also prioritized her mental and physical well-being, fans have eagerly awaited her comeback, which is seen as a significant step toward her ultimate goal of competing in the Paris Games in 2024.

The U.S. Classic, the competition in which Biles is set to participate, sold out weeks ago, undoubtedly due to the anticipation surrounding her return. At just 26 years old, Biles has the potential to shatter numerous world and Olympic records in the coming year. The U.S. Classic, which serves as the final opportunity for athletes to qualify for the national championships later this month, boasts an unprecedented lineup of participants. According to a count by the podcast GymCastic, the entrants collectively hold an astounding 55 medals from the Olympics and world championships.

However, all eyes will undoubtedly be on Biles, whose unparalleled power, strength, and speed have set her apart from her peers. She possesses the ability to execute moves that no other woman in the sport can replicate, such as her signature double-twisting double backflip dismount on the beam and a vault known as the "Biles." Biles has consistently pushed the boundaries of gymnastics, but her exceptional skills have sometimes faced resistance from the international gymnastics federation. The federation assigned her beam dismount a lower point value than many had expected due to its difficulty, highlighting the need for safety considerations. Similarly, her vault was also given a lower point value.

Despite these challenges, Biles has historically returned to competition in exceptional form after taking breaks. Following the Rio Games in 2016, she took two years off before dominating the sport once again, winning the national championship by an impressive margin of 6.55 points. Over the next two world championships, she amassed an astonishing 11 medals, nine of which were gold.

However, Biles faced a significant setback at the Tokyo Olympics. Struggling with a mind-body disconnect mid-air, she found herself unable to execute her skills safely and made the difficult decision to withdraw from several finals, including vault, uneven bars, and floor exercise. Despite this adversity, she managed to secure a silver medal in the team event and a bronze on the balance beam. Speculation arose as to whether Biles would retire from the sport altogether.

In late 2021, she embarked on a 35-city gymnastics tour and tied the knot with Jonathan Owens, a defensive back for the Green Bay Packers. She also made mental health a priority, seeking therapy to address the traumas she had experienced. Just a month ago, Biles confirmed that she had been training diligently and was fully committed to competing in the U.S. Classic. For her, this event serves as a crucial warm-up on her journey back to full competition readiness. Her recent participation in a U.S.A. Gymnastics training camp indicated her dedication to reclaiming her place among the sport's elite.

As she takes the stage once again, Biles carries with her the hopes and expectations of fans worldwide, eager to witness her extraordinary talent and determination in action. With her return to competition, the gymnastics world eagerly awaits the potential record-breaking performances that lie ahead for this exceptional athlete.