When life throws you a curveball, it can be tough to adjust, and that’s exactly what Simone Biles‘s fellow performer, Donnell Whittenburg, 30, experienced when he announced his participation in Simone Biles’s Gold Over America Tour (GOAT). Fans were over the moon, especially considering that both he and Biles, at 27, are proving that age is just a number in a sport that usually favors younger athletes.

Simone has silenced doubts about her longevity by reclaiming the Olympic all-around title, while Whittenburg earned the nickname “The Heart of a Lion” for his determination during the Olympic trials. Fans were excited to see them shine together on stage, but fate had other plans when Whittenburg had to exit the tour midway due to an injury, prompting admiration from his colleagues, including Biles.

On September 23, the day of the GOAT show in Salt Lake City, Whittenburg took to social media to share the news of his exit, citing his injury as the reason. He delivered a heartfelt message on Instagram, saying, “Unfortunately, I got hurt on the tour. It’s tough to step away, especially all the work I put in. But health comes first. To my tour family, I’m cheering for you every single day! I know you’ll bring all the energy, passion, and magic to the stage. I’ll be supporting you guys all the way.”

This sentiment reflects Biles’s experience three years ago in Tokyo, where she had to put her well-being first. Just as Biles encouraged her teammates to savor their first Olympic experience, Whittenburg urged fans to enjoy the tour and “stay GOLDEN ⭐️” despite his absence. However, at that time, the future seemed uncertain for him. But then came a surprising twist.

On the 28th of October, things started looking up for Donnell as he recovered enough to rejoin the other gymnasts on the Gold Over America Tour! While he’s still using crutches and a boot part of the time, it’s a step in the right direction. It’s unclear if he’ll be participating in all the remaining shows or just making a special appearance in the Gold Over America Tour in Cleveland, but it’s evident he won’t be performing at the same level he was before his injury.

Meanwhile, Riley Loos, who joined the tour after Donnell’s departure, continues to participate in the group routines with the rest of the team. This whole situation hasn’t gone unnoticed; Reddit users have been sharing their thoughts and reactions about it all!

Simone Biles’s fellow performer, Donnell Whittenburg’s tour absence sparks emotional reactions!

One fan added, “Not seeing Donnell on the tour was the single saddest moment of my gymnastics life.” Another added, “That’s great! Glad he still gets to join in on the fun.” 

This year has been especially hard on Donnell Whittenburg, who prepared for his third Olympic Trials. Unfortunately, he failed to get the chance. Subsequently, he has had some near-shaves; eight years ago at his first trials, this Baltimore-born-and-bred guy was as close to his dream as was named an alternate for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

Whittenburg also did not qualify for Olympic trials in 2020 and didn’t even make it onto the team. He has competed in the trials three times: 2012, 2016, and 2020—and he knows what it is like to be on the cusp of making the team. He has often said that the Olympic Games have been his goal since 2016, and that is why he returned because he has been on the edge at some point. But in the end, he was a non-traveling reserve for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris.

One more fan added, “I was really disappointed that he and Fred both missed the Baltimore show. But I know they had good reasons.” Well, Simone Biles kicked off the 30-city arena tour called the “Gold Over America Tour” (GOAT) in September. For the 2024 edition, she was joined by her Olympic gold medal-winning teammates Jade Carey, Jordan Chiles, and Hezly Rivera, along with U.S. Olympic team bronze medalists Paul Juda, Brody Malone, and Frederick Richard. The tour promised to be “a high-energy and high-flying gymnastics-meets-pop-concert spectacle,” which sounded like a blast!

But that wasn’t all—there was an incredible lineup of other gymnasts taking part, including Olympic alternate Joscelyn Roberson, Tokyo 2020 Olympians Shane Wiskus and Yul Moldauer, NCAA standout Trinity Thomas, and world medalists Ellie Black from Canada and Melanie de Jesus dos Santos from France. To top it off, the legendary UCLA gymnastics coach Valorie Kondos Field served as the supervising choreographer for the show.

The support from fans continued to pour in, with one expressing, “I adore him,” and another excitedly adding, “Oh, great news!” As the Gold Over America Tour rolled on, Donnell Whittenburg’s journey showed just how resilient an athlete can be. Despite the setbacks, he remained determined to inspire others, proving that while challenges may come, the spirit of an athlete never fades.

Simone Biles keeps on creating history. Putting behind the dark days of Tokyo, Paris emerged as her light at the end of the tunnel. Aiming to get her redemption sorted, Biles put on quite a show. Initially helping her team to forget the four-year-old mishap, Biles took the lime and her first gold of the Olympics. However, things were just getting started.

Biles then went toe to toe with Rebeca Andrade and secured her all-around gold medal with a stunning floor routine. Racking in one more gold in the vault and a silver on the floor, Biles emerged as the true G.O.A.T. of modern-day gymnastics. And if her accomplishments were not complimenting her elite status, a recent list, featuring just four gymnasts, proved why Simone Biles is the queen.

The 27-year-old has been one of the biggest draws for the American gymnastics realm. In a recent update on X by an account named ‘Splitfloat’, an interesting bit of statistics was shared. It noted the names of gymnasts who won at least one Olympic or a World Championship medal in all 6 categories. The post stated, “Did you know? Simone Biles, Aliya Mustafina, Rebeca Andrade and Jordan Chiles are the only gymnasts this century to have won medals at the World Championships and/or the Olympics in all 6 events of Women’s Artistic Gymnastics. The four have medals for teams, all around, floor, beam, bars and vault.”

Undoubtedly, while the piece of information showcases the elite nature of the four gymnasts, it also highlights Biles’ remarkable skills. After all, there are a lot of names that are surprisingly missing from the coveted list. And that includes legends like Nadia Comaneci, Shawn Johnson, Laurie Hernandez, and more. Notably, each of these gymnasts was termed a generational talent who kept the fans mesmerized for years.

Then there is Suni Lee. In the absence of Simone Biles, Lee grabbed her chance in Tokyo. Making the most out of her talent, Lee dazzled and took home the all-around gold. Coming back to Paris, Lee won the team gold and also notched up bronze medals in the all-around and the uneven bars. Still, she did not qualify for the list, as there were still some categories that remained uncharted for Suni Lee. Yet, together, Biles and Andrade have shattered a century-old record, elevating gymnastics to new heights.

Thus, it is quite evident how difficult it is to tick all the boxes. And this is where lies the greatness of Simone Biles. As a matter of fact, Biles almost had a deja vu of Tokyo in Paris. But despite her troubles, she was razor-focused on her goals, which ultimately bore rich fruits.

Simone Biles fought through her calf injury to become a G.O.A.T.

It is never an easy path to ascend to the pinnacle of a discipline. After her immense struggles following her Tokyo debacle, Biles was all set for Tokyo. Or so she thought. Standing amidst the shining lights and the cheering crowd at the Bercy Arena, Biles suddenly went numb. After her initial vault during her practice, Biles felt an agonizing pain in her calf.

The 27-year-old ran immediately to Cecile Landi to share her experience. After the initial checkup, Biles was diagnosed with hyperextended knee and a torn calf muscle. Feeling her world coming down in front of her eyes, Biles decided that she could not let her haters call her a ‘quitter’ for a second time. Thus, she went on with the excruciating pain. Reminiscing about her experience, Biles said in her recent Netflix documentary, “Whenever I would land on the floor, I thought I was gonna pass out ’cause it would hurt so bad.” Thus, painting a picture of her sheer champion mentality, Simone Biles remains truly the Greatest of All Time.

Simone Biles has weighed in on the likelihood of her bonding with fellow WAG Taylor Swift – teasing it’s Delicate situation.

The 11-time Olympic medalist, 27, was asked if she planned on spending time with the 34-year-old popstar at any future games at the premiere of her Netflix documentary Simone Biles Rising: Part 2 last week.

Biles is married to Chicago Bears safety Jonathan Owens, 29, and Swift is dating Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce.

‘No, I’m currently on tour so unfortunately not,’ Biles said in an interview with Access Hollywood, referring to the Gold Over America Tour.

‘I’ve missed a lot of games. But as soon as we finish tour, then yes.’

However, she then pointed out a barrier between her becoming close to Swift.

‘But you usually don’t bond with opponents,’ she quipped.

The Chiefs and Bears are not scheduled to play each other during the 2024-2025 regular season, but played each other in the preseason in August with the Bears winning 34-21.

Their partners may be opponents but Swift, 34, and Biles have voiced their support for each other in the past.

Biles is currently on her Gold Over America Tour along with teammates Jordan Chiles, Jade Carey, and Hezly Rivera.

Together, they’re taking their success from the Paris Summer Olympics throughout the country, performing across the country on the 30-city arena tour.

In June, ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics, the Cruel Summer singer reacted to a video of Biles’ floor routine set to …Ready For It? which was posted to X, formerly known as Twitter.

‘Watched this so many times and still unready. She’s ready for it tho,’ she wrote.

Biles responded to the exchange with Swift during an interview on Today, gushing: ‘I do love her.

‘She is so sweet.’

Swift narrated a promotion video for the Paris Summer Olympics, where she named three of the US athletes: Sha’Carri Richardson and Katie Ledecky.

‘Katie, Sha’Carri, and Simone,’ Swift said in the promo. ‘Three American stars, three different visions of greatness, tonight in Paris.’

Before the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, NBC posted a video voiced by Swift on social media.

‘Throughout the last week, her voice has been as significant as her talents,’ it said.

‘Her honesty as beautiful as the perfection that has long been her signature,’ she said in the video.

‘But don’t you see? It still is. She’s perfectly human. And that’s what makes it so easy to call her a hero. Simone Biles, back on the beam in Tokyo.’

With endless energy, joyful swagger and great gymnastics, the GOAT (Gold Over America Tour) show starring Simone Biles and other top gymnasts delivers a wonderful deal of entertainment even for the most avid gymnastics fans.

If you liked the 2021 GOAT post-Tokyo Olympics show, it’s likely you would love even more the current one, which is running in 30 cities across the U.S. until November 3.

Presented by title sponsor Athleta, the show is a mixture of high-energy choreography by all cast members, combined with a high level of gymnastics skills and sequences.

Biles, the most decorated gymnast of world and Olympic history with 41 medals in total, is the star of the production; hence, the name of the show carries the GOAT acronym, a play on references to her as the Greatest of All Time.

The vast difference between the 2021 and 2024 tours is that the current show includes eight male gymnasts (nine, prior to Donnell Whittenburg’ s foot injury), while the 2021 show had an all-female cast.

The male gymnasts include three of the five team members of the U.S. bronze medal-winning team at the Paris Olympics – Paul Juda, Brody Malone and Frederick Richard – plus Tokyo Olympians and Paris Olympic alternates Yul Moldauer and Shane Wiskus. The male cast also includes former U.S. national team member and social media content creator, Ian Gunther, U.S. national team member Riley Loos and two-time Dutch Olympian Casimir Schmidt.

In addition to Biles, the female cast includes three of her four teammates who captured the team gold medal in Paris: Jade Carey, Jordan Chiles and Hezly Rivera. (Suni Lee, the 2021 Olympic all-around champion and the fifth member of the Paris team, is again not part of the tour; she did not participate in the 2021 tour because she was a contestant on ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars” during the tour).

Four-time Olympian Ellie Black and France’s Melanie de Jesus dos Santos give the show international flavor, as in 2021.

The cast is supported by four female dancers, duo emcees Peng-Peng Lee and Katelyn Ohashi, 2024 U.S. Olympic team alternate Joscelyn Roberson, and former U.S. national team member and NCAA standout Trinity Thomas.

Throughout the two-hour performance, including 20 minutes of intermission, there are subtle messages of resilience, determination and hope, but overall, the show can be labeled as pure fun.

The male gymnasts create most of the dynamics in the show primarily with big gymnastics skills on high bar and floor exercise. 2021 world high bar champion Malone, Richard and Wiskus all perform perfect Kolmans and double-twisting double layouts throughout the several acts. Gunther throws a slick layout Tkatchev to Tkatchev to piked Tkatchev connection, while Moldauer slides in a triple-twisting double layout dismount on one of his turns.

In a Barbie-themed number, with music by Ryan Gosling’s “I’m Just Ken,” the male cast dazzles with an energetic tumbling act which culminates to House of Pain’s “Jump Around.” That number includes a synchronized sequence of 2-1/2 twist to front full, multiple triple twists, and several flair sequences among other dynamic tumbling passes.

The gymnastics performed by the women’s cast consist of short sequence of high-level skills surrounded by dance in the specific acts. Under the spotlights Roberson hits a standing full on balance beam, and a double layout on the real floor. Biles dazzles with her impeccable tumbling technique performing a double front full on floor, a double layout and Biles I (double layout half-out) on a smartly designed tumbling rod strip which leads to the main floor mat area. Carey delivers an effortless double layout, and a front tuck step out to a double tuck on the main floor area.

Uneven bars sequences include Maloney to Pak by several of the gymnasts, Maloney to Tkatchev by Rivera, piked Jaeger by Black and several dismounts including dos Santos’ full twisting double layout.

Similar to the 2021 show, the second part features a question-and-answer session with all the current and former U.S. Olympians. They are asked a random question, and after their answer they perform a part of their actual Olympic routine. In that segment of the show Biles delivers the longest balance beam sequence of the production, which includes back handspring layout, switch leap half and a side aerial.

The entire cast unites for fun dancing and tumbling on the floor for one of the most energetic acts of the show, performed to Beyoncé’s “Texas Hold ‘Em.” This cowboy-themed number also includes four mushrooms which the male gymnasts utilize for circle and flair mini-sequences, wearing jeans and cowboy hats. The act concludes with Biles performing eight circles on one of the mushrooms. Is there anything she can’t do?

A highlight of the show is an act that the cast also performed on NBC’s “America’s Got Talent” September 24 while promoting the tour. The number largely consists of high-power tumbling on the rod tumbling strip. Some individual performances are also included on uneven bars, balance beam, pommel horse, parallel bars and high bar which are of the apparatus included in the tour.

Throughout the show the elevated energy level is reinforced with great music icons such as Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, AC/DC, Lizzo, Nicki Minaj, Lenny Kravitz, Andra Day and others.

The GOAT show clearly celebrates the Paris Games accomplishments of Biles (three golds and a silver) and the success of the U.S. gymnastics team as a whole, and applauds the sport of gymnastics in general.

Biles, the entire gymnastics cast, production staff, choreographers and producer Lee Marshall deserve big congratulation for a spectacle well done!

This review was based on the live performance in Fort Worth, Texas on October 20, 2024.

As the 2024 Gold Over America Tour nears its end, emotions are running high on the tour bus. After a seven-day break following the Fort Worth performance, Simone Biles and her team returned to the stage on October 27th, this time in Cleveland, Ohio, at the Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse. With the tour back in full swing, the countdown to its conclusion has already begun, making many, including the queen herself, feel the weight of the moment.

Biles didn’t set off on the GOAT tour alone. She was joined by a team of champions who, united by their love for gymnastics, became a family. The tour kicked off on September 16th, with its first performance in Oceanside, California. GOAT brought together many prominent names from the Paris Olympics, including Frederick Richard, Brody Malone, Paul Juda, Jade Carey, and Jordan Chiles, among others. Now, as the curtains fall at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse, an impending sense of grief fills the air.

A bittersweet end awaits Biles in Michigan

Gold Over America Tour is at its coda, and its last performance is, as Biles puts it, a “save the best for last” performance. While the last performance remains inherently emotional, it is a whole lot more for Frederick Richard and Paul Juda. The two began their 2024 season together at the Paris Olympics. The two were a part of the Bronze medal USA team at the Olympics. And then, following the same, they joined the GOAT. Now, as the tour ends, it is ending in Michigan, their second home!

Both Juda and Richard are Michigan Wolverines and have been awaiting their return to the Midwest. And Biles knows the excitement of that anticipation. She even went on to say, “They are so excited to get back and start performing again for Michigan.” It is truly a perfect full-circle moment for Paul and Richards. But it is an equally sentimental moment for Simone Biles. Biles, much like her teammates, started the GOAT journey after Paris. And she did the same with her teammates and gymnastics family!

Now, as the time has come for Biles to say goodbye, things are getting harder. Talking about the final performance that awaits, she said, “You know, it’s all about the touring schedule. I will say save the best for last because the last show is always so emotional because we’ve done this for a bit of time now with each other. We’re going to miss each other. We’re going to miss being on tour. It’s such a blessing.” The GOAT team has crossed the borders of simply being teammates and developed a sense of camaraderie.

This connection became evident through the behind-the-scenes glimpses from GOAT. From grand birthday celebrations for teammates to GOAT yoga sessions with Biles’ Olympic team, the tour has been more than just a spectacle; it has been a journey of bonding with the sport and the team—not only for those on the tour but also for the fans following it. GOAT isn’t over just yet, though. Gold Over America will make its way to Indianapolis on October 29, then to Louisville on October 30, with final stops in Greensboro on November 1, Cincinnati on November 2, and Detroit for the grand finale. As Simone Biles brings one adventure to a close, she sets the stage for the next.

Closing in style while Biles continues Rising!

GOAT might be over, but the curtains have just gone up for Rising Part 2. Amidst the hectic schedule that has spanned over 3 months, Biles has done many things, including birthday parties and even launching her own restaurant ‘Taste of Gold.’ While all this remains great, there is one moment that it cannot beat. Simone Biles had a grand premiere for the second part of her anticipated docuseries.

The premiere happened at Los Angeles’ historic Egyptian Theatre. Part 2 takes the audience on the journey that follows Tokyo 2020. The new episodes, which were released on October 25, focus on her comeback in Paris. In the show, Biles goes on to say, “The goal is to win the Olympics. And then after that, we’ll see.” Well, after that, she dove into multiple ventures and GOAT, of course. Yet, she shows absolutely no signs of stopping. So what’s next for Biles? Guess the world will have to wait and see what happens after Detroit.

It’s hard to believe it’s already been three months since the Paris Olympics kicked off, right? That’s where we saw Simone Biles snag three golds and a silver! Now, she’s on the Gold Over America Tour, taking that Olympic excitement coast-to-coast with her teammates. The tour has been running since early September, and the big finale is set for Detroit on November 3rd. But here’s what everyone’s wondering: what happens after the tour ends? Will she finally get a chance to catch up with her husband, Jonathan Owens?

It’s going to be tricky! Jonathan, who plays for the Chicago Bears, has a big game lined up against the Detroit Lions on November 28th. Between her post-Olympic commitments and his NFL season, these two have had a tough time syncing up. It makes you wonder if they’ll get the break they’ve both earned or if this busy schedule will keep them juggling life on the go. Well, recently Simone Biles shared a view on it on YouTube.

The realities of life as Jonathan Owens’ wife, Simone Biles reveal all!

In a recent interview with Click On Detroit titled, “Simone Biles Leads ‘Gold Over America Tour’ in Detroit,” the host asked if she would be attending the Lions-Bears matchup on November 28 to root for her husband, Jonathan Owens, who plays for the Bears. Biles’ answer was thoughtful yet uncertain. “We’ll have to see since it is Thanksgiving,” she said.

Biles added, “Usually, some of the wives, we stay home because they get on a flight right after that game, so we’re usually back home waiting for them. Because if not, we don’t know when we’ll be able to get home and spend that holiday with them.”

Her response shows the realities of her life as the wife of a professional athlete. While fans would love to see her in the stands cheering on Jonathan, Biles faces a delicate balance between supporting her husband’s career and cherishing rare moments together. Well, just a few days back, Simone Biles really made the most of her husband Jonathan Owens’ Bye Week from the NFL by bringing him along on her Gold Over America Tour.

This heart-stopping moment had Biles on the edge of her seat!

On October 24, she shared some adorable moments on Instagram, captioning her post, “Bye week — bae comes on tour.” It’s clear that the seven-time Olympic gold medalist enjoyed every second of their time together as they traveled across the country for her performances. The photos really capture their fun vibe.

They were seen enjoying an arcade, shopping while holding hands, and even cuddling during car rides. One standout shot shows Owens posing in front of a “GOAT” sign, which is not only a nod to the name of Biles’ tour but also to her well-earned title as the Greatest of All Time. Plus, there’s a cute video of Owens trying out the parallel bars at a gym, which adds a fun twist to the mix as he shows off his skills alongside a fellow gymnast.

Biles shared even more sweet moments from their time in Austin, Texas, where Owens joined her for a tour stop with other Team USA gymnasts like Jordan Chiles and Jade Carey. From brunch dates to a night out with friends, they were clearly enjoying each other’s company. Biles even joked about adding Owens to the gymnastics tour cast! Their connection was especially heartwarming when he surprised her with a gorgeous heart-shaped bouquet of 26 roses during a stop in Milwaukee, and she couldn’t help but share the moment with her followers, calling it “THE BEST SURPRISE.” Even from afar, Simone continues to be her husband’s biggest cheerleader, always finding ways to support him and celebrate his achievements.

Even back in September,  Jonathan Owens’ debut game with the Bears was a moment to remember, especially since his wife, Simone Biles, was on her Gold Over America Tour but still cheering for him from afar. In a heart-stopping moment that almost gave her a “heart attack,” Owens made an incredible play that turned the game around.

The Bears were struggling, trailing 17-3 early in the third quarter with rookie Caleb Williams at quarterback. But everything changed when the defense forced a Titans punt. Defensive lineman Daniel Hardy managed to block the kick, and Owens swooped in to grab the loose ball, sprinting 21 yards for a touchdown. The crowd at Soldier Field went wild, and Biles, watching from the stands, couldn’t contain her excitement. That moment sparked a comeback for the Bears, leading to a 24-17 victory. It’s lovely to see how they support each other in both their careers and personal lives!

Biles and her siblings spent years in foster care as her mother suffered from drug and alcohol addiction. She and her younger sister were adopted by their maternal grandparents when Biles was 6. Years later, when Biles was looking to help children with backgrounds similar to hers, her agent found Friends of the Children.

“I’ve always been passionate about foster care because I know exactly what these kids have gone through and what they go through,” Biles told the LA Times.

Biles has been open about her time in foster care and being adopted, though she said she’s felt more strongly about the importance of speaking out about her past as she’s gotten older. She’s also tried to be available for questions from kids in foster care to act as a resource and inspiration.

Biles has even shared intimate details of her childhood, including not being able to receive proper food while living with her biological mother. Concerned neighbours spoke to social workers, eventually landing the siblings in foster care.

“Growing up, me and my siblings were so focused on food because we didn’t have a lot of food. I remember there was this cat around the house and I’d be so hungry. They would feed this cat and I’m like, ‘Where the heck is my food?'” she shared on Facebook.

The Olympic champion said she is who she is today because of foster care, and she hopes that children in the system know that they can do anything too.

“Sometimes the statistics can be against you, but having someone like me advocate for these kids and knowing that I went through some of the same situations that they went through and came out on top really inspires them,” she told USA Today Sports.

While the gymnast’s schedule does not allow her to serve as a mentor right now, she says her role is “to be a voice for the voiceless and just to advocate for these kids and for the organisation, put their name out there and grow their chapters.”

During the gala, Biles was presented with a custom gold and sapphire necklace with the Friends of the Children ’s logo in appreciation for her work in helping empower children facing foster care and poverty.

Biles was on hand to attend the special premiere event, which included a question and answer session with the artistic gymnastics GOAT.

“Simone Biles Rising” fans rejoice.

Part 2 of one of Netflix’s most popular sports documentaries which has received the most likes currently, comprised of its third and fourth episodes, will launch on the platform on Friday (25 October).

To celebrate, a special premiere event was held for guests including the greatest artistic gymnast of all time herself on Wednesday at Los Angeles’ The Egyptian Theatre Hollywood.

Since winning three golds and a silver at Paris 2024, capping a stunning comeback from the ‘twisties’ she suffered at Tokyo 2020 which were documented in the series’ first two episodes, Biles has been headlining the Gold Over America Tour and taking time to support husband Jonathan Owens playing in the NFL.

But on Wednesday, she headed to Hollywood to watch the world premiere of the third and fourth episodes of the documentary, which followed her in the French capital earlier this summer.

Biles also took part in a question-and-answer session on stage at the theatre alongside series director Katie Walsh.

Also in attendance were Biles’s coach, Cecile Landi; her family including sister Adria and parents Ron and Nellie; fellow Olympians Casimir Schmidt, Nastia Liukin and Adam Rippon; and other members of the Gold Over America Tour.

You can watch Part 2 of Simone Biles Rising on Netflix from Friday 25 October.

• IOC and Netflix collaborate to launch three Olympian-led documentary series for Paris 2024