Simone Biles returns to competition for first meet since 2020 Olympics, joins

Simone Biles is set to return to competition at the U.S. Classic near Chicago in early August.

The return to competition will be the first since the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

USA Gymnastics announced Wednesday that Biles, a seven-time Olympic medalist and the 2016 Olympic champion, is part of the women’s field for the single-day event set for Aug. 5. The last two Olympic all-around gold medalists, Biles (2016) and Sunisa Lee (2020), are joined by 2020 Olympic floor champion Jade Carey on a list that includes 11 Olympic and World Championships medalists.

“It is exciting to think about the level of talent and historical legacy of the field that may compete at U.S. Classic,” USA Gymnastics Chief Programs Officer Stefanie Korepin said in a release. “Every athlete is at a different place in their season and career, and we will support each of them, wherever they are in their journey.”

Biles has taken most of the last two years off after she removed herself from multiple events to focus on her mental health. In that time, she married NFL player Jonathan Owens of the Green Bay Packers.

The 26-year-old Biles has also become one of the most vocal advocates for athletes finding space to protect their mental health after her stand in Japan put the issue front and center.

The U.S. Classic is one of the marquee events on USA Gymnastics’ annual calendar and typically serves as a warm-up of sorts for the national championships, this year scheduled for late August in San Jose.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.