Considering her immense success at the Olympics and in gymnastics competitions , there are some things Simone Biles will not change in her routine.
One of the pre-competition rituals the 27-year-old will continue doing is having her mother, Nellie, do her hair before every competition. In Simone's documentary series on Netflix called "Simone Biles Rising," the most decorated Olympic gymnast in history's mother explained the heartwarming reason why she will always do her daughter's hair in preparation for her competitions.
"I just want to do something special," Nellie said in the series, as she does Simone's hair. "Tokyo was the one time I did not braid Simone's hair. She is an adult. This girl can braid her hair but it's not about her braiding her hair."
READ MORE: Simone Biles used to cry her eyes out in ‘forbidden Olympic closet’ at her home
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During the Olympics in Tokyo in 2021, Biles' family was left to support her from afar after it was recommended only athletes were allowed to be in Japan for those games as the world still battled the COVID-19 pandemic. Those Olympics marked the first time Nellie and Ron, Simone's father, missed one of her competitions.
While she was in Tokyo, Simone made the decision to withdraw from the competition to focus on her health. The documentary showcased how the family reacted to Simone's decision, with Nellie confirming all that matters is her health and well-being.
"They will do their best without you... you don't need to go out there and hurt yourself," Nellie is caught saying to her daughter. "You need to take care of yourself. I love you. Just take some deep breaths and just know we're praying for you."
On the topic of the 2020 Olympic Games - held in 2021 - Simone also revealed she has a "forbidden Olympic closet," all stemming from her experience in Japan. Of note, Simone suffered from a condition known as the "twisties," which made it difficult for her to perform air maneuvers as she had a temporary loss of air awareness during twisting elements.
The closet featured a handful of her mementos from the 2020 interaction of the games, including the leotard she competed in. It is in this room that Simone would let herself be emotional from what she experienced in Japan and how fragile her headspace was immediately following those games.
“A lot of this stuff is good keepsake, but it’s in this closet because I never really come in this room. I used to sit here and just cry and cry and cry and ask god why this happened to me,” she reflected. “Even touching it is like [winces]. But, you know, sometimes you have to take that power back."
As the oldest American gymnast to represent Team USA at just 27 years old since the 1950s, Simone is looking to make more history in Paris. However, the legend made sure to keep her mindset in top form as she continued her quest for greatness.
"Being in a good mental spot [is why she's able to compete]. Seeing my therapist every Thursday is kind of religious for me," she said in early July . "So, that’s why I am here today. I knew I wasn't done after the performances in Tokyo, it was getting back in the gym and working hard and trusting the process... I knew I’d be back."
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