Spring resident Simone Biles said goodbye today to instructors and students at her family’s gymnastics facility as she prepares to head to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on July 26 to compete as part of the U.S. Olympic Women’s Gymnastics team. At least 46 of Biles' family members from around the country plan to travel to Rio to watch the competition, said Adam Biles, Simone’s brother and general manager of the family-owned World Champions Centre gym on Birnham Woods Drive. “We never thought we’d be here,” Adam Biles said. “We always knew she had the ability. We haven’t had a chance to take it in.” Simone Biles held a press conference Friday at World Champions Centre after her morning training session at the gym and took questions about her training routine and her expectations for the Olympics. “We’re very confident in our routines because we’ve been doing them for a full year,” Biles said of herself and her teammates. Friday morning she practiced her routines and other exercises on the uneven bars, balance beam and vault. When asked about her level of concentration during competition, Biles said focus is important, but it is possible to overthink a routine. “If I focus too much on bars or beams I start to overthink things and not let them happen naturally,” Biles said. “Sometimes you have to stop thinking a little bit.”

“If I focus too much on bars or beams I start to overthink things and not let them happen naturally. Sometimes you have to stop thinking a little bit.” – Simone Biles, U.S. Olympic Gymnast

She said it has been a challenge to understand the level of fame she has reached. “I don’t understand why people want to see me,” Biles said. “I feel normal, but to you guys it’s something different. For me, I just come in and do my job.” Teamwork will be key to success in the Olympics, Biles said. “I think we’re stronger as a team than individually,” she said. “ I think that’s what we love. We always have someone to lean on if we’re ever down. We don’t get here alone. It is a team effort, and that is my favorite part of competition.” At a going-away party held for her at the gym Friday afternoon, complete with red, white and blue balloons, she helped to serve slices of red velvet Bundt cake to the children who take classes at the facility. Oh her road to the Olympics, Biles said she had to give up some of the perks of being a teenager, such as going to a high school—she was home-schooled for those years—but she does not regret her decision. “Every kid likes being social, having friends, going out and the high school prom,” she said. “But since I am where I am now I don’t think I miss too much of it. It’s okay that I missed prom.” Her advice to other young women with a dream is to try to enjoy whatever they pursue. “Always have fun in what you do,” Biles said. “You just have to live in the moment.” Biles will leave the Spring area for training at the Karolyi Ranch in Huntsville on Sunday and will travel to Rio with the rest of her team on July 26. The Olympic opening ceremonies are scheduled for Aug. 5 and qualification rounds in women’s gymnastics begin Aug. 7.

Related video:

https://youtu.be/5haTOm7jHBU