Simone Biles' Quest for Gold Soars: Ultimate Guide to the Spectacular 2023 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships

Simone Biles, widely regarded as the greatest gymnast of all time, has returned to her winning ways after a two-year break from the sport following the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. Now, at the age of 26, she is poised to further expand her impressive medal collection at the upcoming 2023 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Antwerp, Belgium.

There is plenty on the line at the world championships, including qualification spots for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

How to watch

The world championships commence on September 30th and conclude on October 8th. The qualifying competitions occur from the opening day until Monday, October 2nd, and the initial medals are presented on the subsequent day.

Biles is scheduled to participate in her first competition on Sunday, October 1. In order to qualify for the medal rounds, she must secure a position within the top 24 in the all-around category and rank within the top eight in the individual events.

Following her initial performance, Biles will make her comeback on Wednesday, representing the United States as a member of the five-woman team in the team event finals.

Biles is anticipated to progress through qualifying, paving her way to compete in the women's individual all-around final on Friday. Furthermore, she will participate in the women's vault and uneven bars finals on October 7, as well as the balance beam and floor exercise finals the following day. In the US, NBC will air the coverage starting from October 3, whereas the UK audience can catch the finals on the BBC.

All three days of qualifying will be streamed on All Gymnastics TV, the International Gymnastics Federation's streaming hub. The platform will also provide access to the finals in select countries.

Simone Biles competes in the floor exercise during the World Championships in 2019.

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Biles talks with her grandfather, Ron, as she trains in Houston in August 2013. Biles grew up in Spring, Texas, just outside of Houston.

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Biles competes on the balance beam during the US National Gymnastics Championships in August 2013. She won gold in the individual all-around.

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Biles poses after winning a gold medal at the 2013 World Championships. She finished first in the individual all-around.

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Biles dodges a bee flying near her during the medal ceremony at the 2014 World Championships. She successfully defended her title in the individual all-around.

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Biles, left, poses at home with her grandparents Ron and Nellie, who adopted her and her younger sister Adria, right.

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Biles practices in Houston in January 2016.

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Biles and her fellow gymnast Gabby Douglas stand together during the opening ceremony of the 2016 US Olympic Trials, while both of them successfully secured a spot on the team. In the previous Olympic Games held in 2012, Douglas triumphed as the Olympic all-around champion.

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Biles celebrates with her teammates after the US Olympic Trials in 2016.

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Biles participated in the balance beam event during the 2016 Olympics held in Rio de Janeiro, where she emerged victorious in both the individual all-around and the team all-around categories, earning gold medals. Additionally, she achieved further success by securing two more gold medals along with a bronze medal.

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Biles competes on the uneven bars at the 2016 Olympics.

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From left, US gymnasts Laurie Hernandez, Madison Kocian, Simone Biles, Aly Raisman and Gabby Douglas celebrate after winning gold in the team all-around at the 2016 Olympics.

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Biles celebrates with the gold medal she earned for her individual all-around title at the 2016 Olympics.

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Biles participated in a game called Hungry Hungry Humans on "The Tonight Show" in August 2016, where host Jimmy Fallon held her legs. Joining her were actor Donald Glover and a few of Biles' teammates.

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In September 2016, Biles was photographed alongside swimming legend Michael Phelps, Raisman, and actress Olivia Munn during the filming of the show "Lip Sync Battle: All Stars Live."

President Barack Obama spoke at the White House in September 2016 while First Lady Michelle Obama gently rested her elbow on Biles' head. The Obamas were graciously hosting an event dedicated to honoring US Olympians.

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Biles takes a photo with a young fan in Houston in September 2016.

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Biles competes in "Dancing with the Stars" with Sasha Farber in 2017. They would finish in fourth place.

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Biles speaks after receiving the ESPY Award for best female athlete in 2017.

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Biles performs with the Houston Texans cheerleaders in December 2017.

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Biles competes on the uneven bars during the 2018 World Championships. She won gold in the individual all-around.

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Biles soars through the air while competing on the uneven bars at the World Championships in 2019. Again, she won gold in the individual all-around.

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Biles celebrates after winning the balance beam final at the 2019 World Championships.

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During the GK US Classic in May 2021, Biles became the first woman in history to land a Yurchenko double pike vault in competition.

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During the team all-around competition at the Tokyo Olympics in July 2021, Biles's landing on the vault was awkward, leading to a stumble. As a result of mental-health concerns, she withdrew from the competition.

In July 2021, coach Cecile Canqueteau-Landi congratulated Biles as she secured the Olympic bronze medal in the balance beam final. Biles had withdrawn from multiple events in Tokyo due to concerns regarding her mental health, specifically dealing with "the twisties." This psychological hurdle in gymnastics causes athletes to lose their spatial awareness midair. With this bronze medal, Biles joined Shannon Miller as the most decorated American gymnast in Olympic history.

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Biles, McKayla Maroney, Maggie Nichols, and Aly Raisman took an oath to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee in September 2021. They strongly condemned the manner in which FBI agents handled the sexual abuse accusations against Larry Nassar, the former doctor of the USA Gymnastics team who is currently serving a lengthy prison term.

In July 2022, President Joe Biden bestowed upon Biles the Presidential Medal of Freedom, making her the youngest recipient of this prestigious award. Biden acknowledged Biles' remarkable display of absolute courage as she transformed her personal pain into a powerful advocacy, speaking up for those who lack a voice.

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Biles appears on "The Late Late Show with James Corden" in September 2022. On the right is US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.

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Biles competes in the uneven bars at the Core Hydration Classic in August 2023. It was her first competitive event since 2021, and she won the all-around.

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Biles rejoices following her historic triumph, securing her eighth consecutive national all-around title at the US Gymnastics Championships in August 2023. At the age of 26, she further made history by becoming the oldest female athlete to ever claim victory in the prestigious event.

In pictures: Superstar gymnast Simone Biles

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The comeback trail

After enduring a challenging journey, Biles seems to be regaining her formidable form. By triumphing at the US Women's World Championships Selection Event, she secured her place in the world championships. This marks a significant step in her comeback to competitive gymnastics following her withdrawal from multiple events at the Tokyo Olympics Games due to the debilitating "twisties" condition. The "twisties" refers to a mental obstacle that causes gymnasts to lose their spatial awareness while in the air.

Having already secured her eighth national all-around title with an outstanding performance at the US Gymnastics Championships in San Jose, California, a month prior, Biles disclosed her apprehension on the eve of the world championships, expressing doubts about her ability to continue competing at her previous level.

"I wasn't sure if I would ever be able to compete again. Throughout this year, there were several instances in the gym where I felt a deep fear of performing the full-in. I even made up my mind that I would never attempt it again," Biles shared exclusively with Olympics.com.

"However, I had a change of heart and decided to give it another shot on a different day, telling myself, 'I'll come back and try again.'"

Biles wrote on Instagram, "Returning to where it all began. Looking forward to seeing you soon, Belgium."

In 2013, at the World Championships in Antwerp, Belgium, Biles proudly stood on the podium and posed with her well-deserved bronze medal after showcasing her remarkable skills during the balance beam exercise apparatus final.

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In her world championships debut in Antwerp 10 years ago, Biles won all-around and floor exercise golds, as well as vault silver and beam bronze.

She now holds a staggering total of 25 world championship medals, with 19 golds, three silvers, and three bronzes. Her most recent participation in the world championships occurred in 2019, where she achieved an impressive victory of five gold medals. This exceptional accomplishment is something she has the potential to replicate at the upcoming championships in Belgium. Biles has already established herself as the most accomplished gymnast in the history of the United States, having claimed 32 medals throughout the Olympics and world championships.

Biles now places her sole focus on medals and accolades, redefining the meaning of success for herself.

"So, now, its just showing up, being in a good head place, having fun out there, and whatever happens, happens."

Biles competes in the floor exercise on day four of the 2023 US Gymnastics Championships.

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Paris 2024 spots up for grabs

There are still qualification places for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games to be secured in Belgium as the competition is the main qualifier for next years summer Games.

China, Japan, and Great Britain secured their spots in the men's team competition at the previous year's world championships. Similarly, the United States, Canada, and Great Britain have also qualified for the women's team event. Consequently, nine spots remain in Belgium to finalize both the men's and women's 12-team competitions.

Also, the three highest-ranked NOCs at the world championships that did not earn qualification in the team event will earn one individual quota place for their NOC.