WASHINGTON — Simone Biles spends more of her life up in the air than most. That鈥檚 been true in more ways than one in the whirlwind that has become the 2016 Rio Games all-around gold medalist鈥檚 life since bursting into the national consciousness this summer in Brazil.
鈥淚鈥檝e only been home, like, a combined five total days since the Olympics, it鈥檚 been pretty crazy,鈥� Biles told 草莓传媒 Sports Director George Wallace in an interview Wednesday. 鈥淏ut we鈥檝e had so many cool opportunities, and we鈥檝e had so much fun doing everything we鈥檝e been doing.鈥�
Along with the rest of the gold medal-winning women鈥檚 gymnastics team, Biles has been traveling the country since September on a 36-city barnstorming as part of the Kellogg鈥檚 Tour of Gymnastics Champions. The event itself features the 鈥淔inal Five” and聽the men鈥檚 Olympic gymnastics team, as well as the rhythm gymnastics and trampoline teams.
It鈥檚 a celebration rather than a competition 鈥斅爊o judges, no coaches 鈥� that hits Verizon Center Thursday at 7:30 p.m.
鈥淭he stressful part is over 鈥斅爐hat was the Olympics,鈥� Biles said. 鈥淭his is just kind of like the victory lap, the fun part.鈥�
Biles has聽done countless media appearances, including everything from performing on the show Lip Sync Battle opposite Michael Phelps to announcing awards at both MTV鈥檚 Video Music Awards and CMT鈥檚 Country Music Awards.
鈥淚t was very different from the VMAs,鈥� she said of the recent experience. 鈥淲e were all so nervous, like more nervous than at the Olympics.鈥�
Amid the chaos, though, Biles has found the most enjoyment out of seeing the effect her accomplishments this summer have had on the next generation of gymnasts back at home.
鈥淚 would just say all the kids鈥� reactions to seeing us, whenever we come into the same room as them, they can鈥檛 even believe it,鈥� Biles said.
鈥淎t one point I remember being one of those little kids,” she said. “You have to start somewhere.鈥�
