Simone Biles has nothing left to prove – to herself or anyone else

Paris CNN —

The greatest American gymnast to ever live – and one with a strong case to call herself the greatest of all time – came to Paris last week in a strange spot.

She’s the most decorated gymnast ever. She’s a world-famous superstar. She’s changed the profile of her sport at home and abroad. And she’s changed the way people around the world talk about mental health, both in sports and in everyday life.

Biles returned to competition in triumphant fashion in 2023, but she was still a bit of an unknown. One question hovered over her: after her shocking withdrawal from competitions in the 2020 Olympics, could she ever possibly be as good as she was before Tokyo?

After five intense, high-pressure, gold-medal competitions at the Bercy Arena in Paris, Biles answered that question emphatically: no – she was better.

Maybe the medal haul wasn’t quite the same as Biles’ stunning performance in Rio de Janeiro at age 19. But 27-year-old Simone Biles physically looked like her all-conquering self in all but one of the competitions she entered and mentally she was stronger than she could have ever imagined.

PARIS, FRANCE — AUGUST 06: Gold medalist Gabrielle Thomas of Team United States celebrates after winning the Women's 200m Final on day eleven of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade de France on August 06, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images) gallery

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“To see where I’ve grown from Tokyo and even the 19-year-old from Rio is amazing. I’m proud of Simone for putting in the work and never giving up,” Biles said after winning the all-around competition last Thursday.

Those five moments of world-class, heavy-pressure competition showed a side of