Simone Biles: "I don't know how, but I hope to be in Los Angeles 2028"

Simone Biles is one of the greatest athletes of all time. She is because of everything she has achieved competing... and away from the spotlight. Her gold medals, her successes, her victories do not overshadow her fight to raise awareness of mental health and its importance. On the eve of the most important night in sport, the red carpet of the Laureus Awards, Biles spoke to MARCA in the centre of Madrid

QUESTION: Madrid, sport, the Laureus... How do you feel about a night like tonight?

I'm very excited to focus on the world of sport and to be here today at the Laureus Awards. As an ambassador for these awards, my goal is, as Mandela said, to show everyone that sport has the opportunity to change the world. We have seen it first hand, it is true and it is possible. So it's very exciting.

I've had to seek outside help, psychological help. As athletes we are very talented and successful, but we have to make sure our minds are up to the task

Simone Biles, en MARCA

You've had one of the most successful careers in the history of the sport, but looking back. Would you change anything, any decision?A.: I feel like my career has been very successful. It's true that I've had my ups and downs, but I'm very grateful. I wouldn't change anything, because I think this path has made me the person I am today. So I'm very grateful for this path and for having been so successful.How do you handle that success?

I feel like when I was younger, it was a bit overwhelming. But obviously, as I've matured and grown, I've learned to handle everything a little bit better. Of course, I've had to seek outside help, such as psychological therapy, because at the end of the day, as athletes, we're very physically talented and successful, but we also have to make sure our minds are up to par.

There are many tears in the falls, but there is always a beautiful story that emerges from them

Simone Biles, en MARCA

And the failures?A: The failures were tough, but I have a great team around me that teaches me and helps me through those tough lessons. There are a lot of tears in the falls, but there is always a nice story that comes out of it.

What was the best advice you received in your career?

The best advice I ever received was from my mother. She always told me before every competition to just try to be the best version of Simone. And that has stuck with me, to not try to compete against anyone else, because I can only control what I do and not what others do. So my goal is to stay true to who I am.What is the best advice you have given?

I would say the most important thing is to have fun, because sport goes by very quickly and before you know it, you will be older, mature... and you will be retiring. So the important thing, really, is to enjoy the journey.

How do you remember the Paris Games and that incredible comeback?

My God, the return in Paris was incredible. I feel like it was a story that everyone was waiting to see how it unfolded. Obviously, I had goals that I wanted to achieve and although I couldn't achieve them all, I'm very grateful that I was able to come back and do stunts again, with confidence.

What did it mean for you to compete again and win again?

It was a dream come true to compete in Paris and to be able to achieve some things that I never thought I could do again. I can't complain. It was super exciting. Having everyone with me on that journey also meant so much to me.

What is your best memory of Paris?It was super exciting to redeem ourselves in the team final. We all knew deep down that we were capable of winning gold, but it all came down to execution, which I personally think we did incredibly well and it was a success. Also the individual final against Rebeca Andrade, head to head, was very stressful, but it really pushed me to be the best Simone I could be.

What is your greatest hope or emotion right now?

I feel like it's football, which is about to start again. My husband is in training so that's very exciting for me. In the near future, I would say tonight's Laureus Awards, it's the pinnacle of sports awards and I'm very excited to see all the athletes celebrate their successes tonight.

I'm not sure what shape I'll be in LA28, whether competing or in the stands, but I hope to be there

Simone Biles, en MARCA

What do you expect from the future?R.: Keep breaking down barriers, be a light, have a voice in the sport and use it as a platform for good, because that's how we can achieve anything. I'm really excited to see where the sport goes from here, it might be a little scary someday when we have kids and see what they will be able to achieve.

And now, tell me about Los Angeles 2028.

I'm not sure in what form I'll be there, whether competing or in the stands, but I do hope to be there

I'm going to show you a picture and I need you to give this person some advice.

I'd tell her to have fun, to keep her head up and to just be herself. To keep being authentic, to express herself, to believe in her dreams and go for them.