Simone Biles‘ appearance at the Paris Olympics has sparked widespread online discussion for various reasons, including her absence from the opening ceremony, a leg injury, and criticism of her hair.

The Paris Olympics have been underway for a few days, and superstar athletes have already begun dazzling crowds with their prowess.

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Among these talents is Olympic gymnast Simone Biles, who has gone viral for multiple reasons, from missing the opening ceremony to dealing with a leg issue, making her the name on everybody’s lips.

On July 26, athletes paraded along Paris’ River Seine during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics. However, Simone and some other members of the U.S.A. gymnastics team were noticeably absent.

Simone’s mother, Nellie Biles, explained the reason in an interview with Today‘s Hoda Kotb. She said: “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 day two of the Olympics, July 28, Simone faced adversity. Footage from the event showed her sitting on the sidelines with U.S.A. Gymnastics team doctor Marcia Faustin. They disappeared briefly, and Simone returned with medical tape wrapped around her left leg.

According to NBC, she had to tape her leg due to tweaking her calf during her floor exercise warmup. Despite being seen walking with a limp, Simone did not let it show once she began competing.

Her determination to compete despite her injury contrasts sharply with her experience three years ago at the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics, where she withdrew from final competitions to protect her mental health, sparking a global conversation on the topic.

Upon hearing about Simone’s injury, many took to online platforms to voice their opinions, with some criticizing her. One X user wrote: “Smart. This time, if she wants to quit, she can blame injury instead of nerves.”

Another social media user remarked: “The Drama Queen. Pretends to get hurt and then wins in order to get all the attention and steal the spotlight.”

Similarly, another echoed: “Staged.”

However, amidst the criticism, there were supportive comments praising her endurance and tenacity. One admirer posted a gif from the Oscars showing Hollywood stars giving a standing ovation with the caption “BRAVO!!!!” and wrote: “Me in my living room at 3AM watching Simone Biles smash her floor routine on a taped-up leg. #OlympicGames.”

Beyond her leg injury, Simone achieved an incredible milestone. Video footage shared online shows her executing what is considered the “hardest vault in the world,” the Yurchenko double pike, making her the first woman to do so at the Olympics.

Despite her achievement, people expressed concern for her health upon seeing her perform with an injured calf. “Oh no I hope she’s not injured because she’s limping a little,” commented one observer on YouTube.

Another pointed out: “She hurt her foot or ankle… someone needs to ask her about it.”

Besides her performance and injury, some people focused on her appearance, particularly her hair. An Instagram user said: “She’s awesome 👏 but can someone fix her hair for her please?!”

An X user added: “@Simone_Biles can we get a hair braid or something,” ending their message with an I-can’t-look face emoji.

One particularly strong comment stated: “#SimoneBiles should have had an #FBA Beautician Do Her Hair In A Ballerina Style Updo/Bun, Or A Sleek Ponytail Before She Left For The #OlympicGames.”

Despite the mixed reactions, Simone Biles’ participation in the Paris Olympics showcases her incredible resilience and dedication. Her ability to achieve an extraordinary milestone while dealing with a physical setback underscores her remarkable talent and determination, further solidifying her status as a legendary gymnast.

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