Simone Biles at the Paris Olympics has sparked online discussions for several reasons. The superstar gymnast missed the opening ceremony, experienced a leg issue, and faced public criticism for her hair.On July 26, athletes paraded on Paris’ River Seine during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics. Simone Biles and other U.S.A. gymnastics team members were absent. Her mother, Nellie Biles, explained, “The first competition is Sunday, which is women’s qualifier, and, of course, she needs to rest up before that competition.”

During the Artistic Gymnastics Women’s Qualification on July 28, Simone had to sit out temporarily with team doctor Marcia Faustin. She returned with medical tape on her left leg after tweaking her calf during a warmup. Despite this, she continued competing, showing grit and determination.Simone faced online criticism after her injury. Some accused her of using the injury as an excuse, with comments like, “Smart. This time, if she wants to quit, she can blame injury instead of nerves,” and “The Drama Queen. Pretends to get hurt and then wins in order to get all the attention and steal the spotlight.” Despite the flak, Simone received support for her perseverance. One admirer praised her with a gif from the Oscars, saying, “BRAVO!!!!” Another noted, “She hurt her foot or ankle… someone needs to ask her about it.”Some comments focused on Simone’s hair. An Instagram user said, “She’s awesome 👏 but can someone fix her hair for her, please?” while another suggested a more styled look.