Part one of Simone Biles’s documentary is nail-biting suspenseful. The first installment focuses on the 2021 Tokyo Olympics derailed in 2020 because of the pandemic. Biles is a powerhouse and a walking historical fact. She is the most decorated gymnast of all time and she shook the world when she pulled out of the competition at the last minute.
She stepped into this situation with all eyes on her and the U.S. Women’s Gymnastics team, and Biles’ exit made jaws dropped and caused an upset that was a talked about across the world, especially since people were wondering if this would be her final Olympics. Having an African American woman in gymnastic has caused a wave of respect inside our community and the shape of her career —doing the unexpected—is and was a special place of pride. In the new docs series Netflix’s “Simone Biles Rising,” part one, here the record shattering world champion steps into deep reflection on the trajectory of her career, highlighting the events that happened in Tokyo and why she’s chosen to return to the world stage. Directed by director Katie Walsh, the four-part docuseries is beautifully paced and does not shy away from the vulnerability of Bile.
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It is absolutely mesmerizing to watch. Part one opens at the start of the Tokyo Olympics where the 27-year-old is reflecting on the high expectations that lead up to the Olympic Games and how she knew, deep insider her gut, that something wasn’t quite right. A creeping feeling that she confuses that she had even before landing in Japan. Then the doc moves backward in time leading up to Paris.
Viewers get an inside look at everything including the heart-breaking footage of Biles getting lost in the air while experiencing what is often called the “twisties” — a very dangerous condition that prompted her to withdraw from the competition — to childhood home video as she and her sister (Adria) talk about being in foster care before being adopted. Nailbiting and engaging and very satisfying. As an audience member we get to witness Biles rebuilding her confidence in the gym. Biles importance to the sport historically, as a woman of color, is a new phenomenon.
She dominates the sport and that’s possible because of the great Gabby Douglas, Dominique Dawes and Betty Okino. Sports is known to be a toxic culture and all of these women discuss the ostracization they’ve felt as African American women whose body types, and overall swagger is so very different from their teammates.
Episode 1, “Write Me Down in History” highlights the constant mistreatment that most African American women in public domains face. No surprise that the loudest critics were middle-aged men who teased her about choosing self-care and safety first. Biles was actually laughed at for taking care of her mental health struggles at the time and removing herself from competition. She was absolutely Vilified and the light was shone on the abusive practices of USA Gymnastics “Simone Biles Rising. “Simone Biles Rising” part one now on Netflix. Part 2 will premiere this fall.
