Here’s Why Simone Biles Skipped the Opening Ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics

You may have noticed Simone Biles wasn’t present for the opening ceremony for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.

It would be understandable if you didn’t, considering how much was going on Team USA’s boat. Led by Coco Gauff and Lebron James, who served as this year’s flag bearers, most of the American athletes were having the time of their lives in matching Ralph Lauren ‘fits (and clear rain ponchos). WNBA superstar A’Ja Wilson rocked Olympic ring sunglasses throughout the festivities. Water Polo player Kaleigh Gilchrist was making Taylor Swift-related TikToks. Track and field star Tara Davis-Woodhall OLY took selfies with a bunch of GOATs.

However, one GOAT we didn’t see hamming it up was four-time Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles, who had a pretty understandable reason for skipping the festivities (and missing iconic performances by Lady Gaga and Celine Dion in the process). “The first competition is Sunday, which is woman’s qualifier, and of course she needs to rest up before that competition,” Biles’ mother Nellie Biles told Hoda Kotb during NBC’s live broadcast, per NBC New York. “She is feeling really good. Spoke to her this morning and she’s doing great.”

On Sunday, July 28, Simone Biles and the rest of her teammates will compete qualifying events beginning at 3:30 am ET, though the Team USA women will start at 5:40am ET. Biles will be competing in all four categories: balance beam, floor, vault, and uneven bars. All these events will stream live on Peacock and air on NBC, E!, or USA Network. NBC will replay the events later in the evening as well.