HOUSTON – Five-time Olympic medalist Simone Biles will return to gymnastics training in October with new coach Laurent Landi. She will continue to train at World Champions Centre in Spring, and hopes to return to competition by the summer of 2018.
"I have enjoyed my time away from training since the Olympics, but am excited to get back into the gym and prepare for my return to competition," Biles said in a press release. "The past year was a chance for my mind and body to recover and I have enjoyed a lot of great opportunities since the Games. I'm looking forward to working with Laurent and am excited to get back into competition mode with my eyes on Tokyo 2020."
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Biles trained at World Champions Centre before making history in the Rio Olympics. The multi-purpose gymnastics facility offers not only gymnastics but trampoline, tumbling, a dance studio and taekwondo. Homeschooling is also available for all athletes at the facility.
"We are pleased to welcome Laurent and Cecil not only to prepare Simone as she returns to competitive gymnastics, but also to help continue the advancement at the World Champions Centre," said Nellie Biles, co-owner of the World Champions Centre. "We believe Laurent's experience as an Olympic coach and gymnast himself, combined with Simone's success and continued drive, will be a great combination."
Landi began his coaching career in 1999 after his time as a member of the French National
gymnastics team. He coached fellow Olympian Madison Kocian.
"It is a great honor to have the opportunity to coach the most decorated American gymnast," Landi said about Biles. "Cecil and I are thrilled to begin our work in the gym with Simone and look forward to expanding the gymnastics program at the World Champions Centre."
Biles won four gold medals and a bronze at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio which aired on Channel 2.
She is the most decorated female gymnast in history with 10 World Championship gold medals. She is also the first female gymnast to win three consecutive World All-Around titles. To add to her accolades, Biles is the first woman to capture four gold medals at a single World Championships since 1974 and she did so in back-to-back competitions in 2014 and 2015.