Simone Biles is the most decorated gymnast in history, with 11 Olympic medals and 30 world championship medals. After pulling out of the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, Biles returned to the games in dominant fashion in Paris this summer, taking home four medals.

Director Katie Walsh captured Biles’ journey in a four-part Netflix documentary called “Simone Biles Rising.”

Walsh spoke with Lisa McRee about the project for LA Times Today.

The first part of the series follows Biles as she deals with the twisties in Tokyo, and documents her decision to make a comeback at the 2024 Olympics. Walsh spoke about the close relationship she developed with Biles during the process.

“I started working with Simone in 2019, and we did a couple of projects previous to this Netflix film together. I was with her family in Tokyo when she was in Tokyo competing. And then we stayed in touch throughout the whole time between Tokyo and Paris. So, when we started filming for the series, we already had this relationship and had developed in a rapport and a level of trust. And I think that really helped for Simone especially, just to feel comfortable sharing her story. Some of it’s easy to talk about something a bit less easy to talk about,” Walsh shared.

The docuseries shows the impact that negative comments have on Biles, especially in the fallout of her decision to pull out of most of her events in Tokyo. 

“Gymnastics is a dangerous, dangerous sport. And when you are going upside down and with the speed and velocity that she moves, any move can be life threatening. And people don’t understand that. And people were real quick to judge. It’s real easy to type a message on your Twitter or whatever social media you use. And Simone sees all that… that’s a lot for someone to handle,” Walsh said. 

Throughout the series, Biles is open about her experience in therapy, and discusses how therapy is an important part of her training. She also has the support of her family, friends and husband, who are featured in the series. 

“What you see is what you get. And I’ve always said I admire that so much about Simone and not just Simone, her whole family. I feel like I’ve been a part of their family for the last couple of years, and it’s been such an honor to spend so much time with them. And I’m so glad that other people are having an opportunity to see what I’ve been able to see,” Walsh said. 

When Walsh and her crew went to Paris to film the second part of the series, they did not know how the story would end. Biles dominated the competition, winning her second all-around gold medal, as well as three other medals. 

“The craziest thing about this project was that we didn’t know the ending to the story. Here we are just following along and hoping for a good ending for her, having no idea what was about to unfold. Even with the injuries she had on her in her calf in the beginning of the competition in Paris, we didn’t know that was going to happen. We had just the smallest inkling that she was struggling a little bit, but that the whole experience was just sort of like hanging on to your seat as you’re flying through the Olympics and just being along for the ride,” Walsh recalled. 

Biles has not said whether she is done competing in gymnastics, but Walsh said she feels confident that Biles will succeed in whatever endeavors she pursues next.

“That girl, the world, is her oyster. She’s so talented. She’s so smart. Whether she’s competing as a gymnast or just making waves in other parts of her life. I have no doubt you’re going to hear a lot from her. And I hope that I get to at least witness it as a friend,” she concluded.  

All episodes of “Simone Biles Rising” will stream on Netflix on Oct. 25. 

Watch the full interview above.

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