2024 Olympics: Why Simone Biles Skipped the Opening Ceremony in Paris

Simone Biles is resting up before the 2024 Olympics really begin.

While the beloved gymnast was absent from the 2024 Paris Opening Ceremony July 26, her family—including parents Ronald and Nellie Biles—were in attendance, explaining to NBC News' Hoda Kotb and Snoop Dogg that the 27-year-old is preparing to compete this weekend.

"The first competition is Sunday," Nellie shared, "which is the Women's Qualifier. And, of course, she needs to rest up before that competition." 

Indeed, Simone, Suni Lee, Hezly Rivera, Jordan Chiles and Jade Carey were advised to skip the Opening Ceremony given the length of the event.

As for how Simone—who experienced a case of the twisties while competing at the Tokyo Olympics—is doing before hitting the mat this weekend?

"She is feeling really good," Nellie told Hoda, "I spoke to her this morning and she's doing great. She's just in a really good place."

In total, Simone will have 17 family members cheering her on as she competes at the Games, including her husband, NFL player Jonathan Owens, who got permission to miss practice with the Chicago Bears.

“I can’t wait to be able to support her," he told reporters July 25, via Yahoo Sports. "How did I get so lucky? That this is my wife and I get to see someone that's literally at the pinnacle at her sport and I get to call this my wife. It's amazing. There's no words to really describe, just blessed."

And although Simone struggled with her mental health during the 2020 Games, she's been feeling stronger than ever heading into the Paris Olympics.

“This time, coming back, it’s truly for myself," she said in the Netflix docuseries, Simone Biles Rising, released July 17. "But it’s also, I never want to look back in 10 years and say, 'Oh, what if I could’ve done another Olympic cycle or at least tried?'"

"Because so much has happened in this sport," Simone noted, "so much has scared the living s--t out of me, that I couldn’t have it take that one last thing from me."

As the four-time Olympic gold medalist put it, she's ending on her own terms.

Keep reading to see more photos from the 2024 Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony...

The athletes proudly wave their nation's flag. 

Athletes from Fiji can't contain their excitement aboard their team's boat. 

The delegation from the Cayman Islands are aiming high at this year's Games. 

The mysery torcherbearer brings the flame ever closer. 

The rain couldn't stop these French athletes from smiling wide. 

Can-Can dancers blow a kiss before their big performance. 

Team Austria, Team Azerbaijan and Team Bahamas all share a boat as they make their way down the Seine. 

Athletes of South Korea shift their gaze skyward with big smiles. 

Team Mexico take in the sights of Paris. 

Aaron Murray Gate and Jo Aleh hold New Zealand's flag aloft. 

The French Air Force draws a heart in the sky.

Great Britain's Tom Daley is the King of the World with Helen Glover by his side. 

Brazil's flagbearer Isaquias Guimaraes Queiroz shows off his Olympic rings glasses. 

Two Australian athletes post in their country's Opening Ceremony look. 

The Canadian delegation celebrate their arrival at the Games. 

Serena Williams' aces her Opening Ceremony look. 

The athletes pose together aboard their boat. 

French President Emmanuel Macron and President of the International Olympic Committee Thomas Bach look out at what their hard work has accomplished. 

Lady Gaga didn't let precipitation as she performs along the River Seine. 

Athletes from India have a laugh together before boarding their boat. 

Japan's flagbearers Shigekix and Misaki Emura prepare for their role. 

An athlete from China waves his nation's flag. 

Athletes from the West African nation line up to board their boat. 

Per usual, as the birthplace of the Games, Greece leads the Parade of Nations. 

Great Britain's Andy Murray takes everything in as he prepares for what will be his last Olympic Games. 

The colors of France's flag erupt above the bridge., 

Basketball's Steph Curry snaps a quick pic on his way to the team's boat. 

The Spanish Olympians wave their nation's flag from their team's boat. 

Team Germany snaps a quick pic for the 'gram ahead of the Opening Ceremony. 

An athlete from the Kenyan delegation shows off her excitement for this year's Games. 

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