Simone Biles talks about 'ups and downs' in a new interview

Simone Biles She said she was afraid to return to the United States after withdrawing from the gymnastics final at the Tokyo Olympics while battling “sprains.”

The 27-year-old gymnastics legend – the sport's most decorated athlete of all time, with 37 world and Olympic gold medals – spoke of the enormous pressure she felt from both inside and outside when Withdrew from the team final At the Games Summer 2021.

“America hates me. The world is going to hate me. I can't help but see what they're saying on Twitter now,” she recalled how she felt in an interview with “Call Her Daddy,” presented exclusively to TODAY. The full podcast is scheduled to be published on Wednesday.

Biles stunned millions of viewers around the world by failing to execute her jumping routine and landing awkwardly. She withdrew from the team final and the individual all-around final, sparking discussion about mental health and the pressures of elite sport.

Biles explained at the time that “twists” occur when a gymnast loses spatial awareness in the air and cannot judge when and where to land.

“So, I landed like this, and as soon as I landed, I kind of smiled and said, 'S—,'” she said in the preview clip.

Biles was able to compete in the beam final, taking the bronze medal, an achievement she ranked as Most important to her On a brilliant Olympic career.

“If I could get on a plane and go home, I would do it. I thought I would be banned from America, because that's what they tell you: 'Don't come back if there's no gold.' Or don't come back,” Biles said on the podcast.

It is still unclear whether Biles will compete in the tournament or not Paris OlympicsWhich starts in the French capital Within 100 days.

But Biles strongly hinted that that was her goal.

“I would say that's the path I'd love to take, so I don't mind if you put it in the 'yay' section,” she told TODAY last year.

Biles has completed a two-year break from elite competition In 2023came back to win his eighth US singles title before winning his sixth world all-around title a few weeks later.

she is Because of competition At the US Classic in Hartford, Connecticut in May.

The opening ceremony of Paris Olympics It is July 26th.