part one of the anticipated documentary series Simone Biles Rising on Wednesday, July 17. The series follows the struggles and comeback of the ‘greatest gymnast of all time’ from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics leading up to the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics.While the meat of the story is about her dealing with the fallout of bowing out of the Tokyo Games and her return to prolong her career in her quest to Paris, there is so much more to this series.The proof is in the pudding—Biles is an outstanding gymnast who has made a lasting impact on the sport. She has four skills named after her, with no other gymnast to this day able to perform three of those. But sandwiched into these big moments—both the struggles and the wins— are the bigger conversations this documentary series brings up.This includes the importance and previous lack of mental and physical health awareness of gymnasts and the sexual abuse culture of the sport. There is also that discussion about beauty standards in gymnastics, as well as of the training culture of working until breaking is the norm of what makes a champion.Biles talks about these topics with bravery. Commentary from journalists, coaches, teammates, and former athletes further adds to the conversation. And it’s conversations that need to be had.
