Katie Walsh had a unique opportunity to follow Simone Biles during the Paris Olympics, marking Biles’ return to competition after a challenging performance in Tokyo. Biles secured three gold medals and one silver, with Walsh praising her focus despite immense pressure. Having known Biles for five years, Walsh described her as both serious and relatable, emphasizing her human struggles beneath her athletic prowess. The close relationship allowed for an intimate view of Biles’ journey, showcasing her strength and resilience.
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Katie Walsh had an incredible opportunity: to follow Simone Biles throughout the Paris Olympic Games.
The 27-year-old gymnast made her comeback to the spotlight after sitting out several Olympic events in 2021 due to the challenges of « twisties. » In Tokyo, she secured just one bronze medal.
With mounting pressure in Paris, Walsh, the director behind « Simone Biles: Rising » on Netflix, observed that Biles remained « calm, cool, and focused. »
Biles made a stunning comeback, clinching three gold medals and one silver in Paris. While she had previously won four golds at the 2016 Rio Olympics, she didn’t compete in one final event in Paris. Nevertheless, Walsh remarked that she regarded the Olympics as a significant success overall.
« She mentioned how we, as outsiders, place all these expectations on her to win everything all the time. For her, the team and the entire experience were vital; that was her true focus. I don’t believe she felt any disappointment regarding her medal count, » Walsh shared.
Walsh has had the privilege of knowing Biles for around five years, following her during competitions and training sessions. Reflecting on what it was like to witness Biles compete, Walsh simply said, « It’s amazing. »
« The beauty of our relationship lies in her comfort to be herself at any moment. We were there as she prepared in a hotel room before the competition, and the tension was palpable. I’m incredibly grateful she let us into those tough moments; it’s a challenge to allow others into your personal space during high-pressure times, and she did that. Being with her is never a negative experience; she’s just very serious and intense when gearing up for a competition, » Walsh remarked.
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« I was able to truly marvel at her capabilities up close—seeing how high, how fast, and how she spins is simply mind-boggling. It makes you realize, yeah, I definitely can’t do that. » Although Biles may not fit the typical mold of celebrity or elite athlete, Walsh reminds us that she is still very much human. « The ultimate goal is for people to resonate with her. When you see someone of her caliber competing and succeeding, it’s hard to relate because there’s no one else like her; she stands alone in that category. » Yet, Walsh believes that through the film, viewers will gain insight into Simone as a person, transcending the idea of a ‘superhuman.’ « Once you understand her a bit more, you see she is normal in many ways. »
« She has her own struggles, and those challenges are very real and relatable. Most of us face similar experiences at some point. Learning about her as a person enhances appreciation for what she accomplishes in the arena, making it all the more special and miraculous. To perform at such a high level under immense pressure, with so many eyes on her and expectations—not only as an athlete but also as a spokesperson and activist— is truly noteworthy. The first part of the series was released in July, with the second part debuting this Friday.