Simone Biles is the undisputed GOAT of United States gymnastics. After the 2024 Paris Olympics, she now has 11 medals, the most of any American athlete in the sport. With more than 20 million followers on social media, she is not only a sports star, but a pop culture icon too.
The Olympics only happens every four years. They are usually held in a country that's a long plane ride away. Not to mention the expensive hotel stay. So it's next to impossible for a little girl who dreams of being the next Biles to go watch her inspiration. In 2021, after the Tokyo Games, the gymnast — who has five tricks named after her — partnered with Athleta to offer fans a chance to experience the excitement of gymnastics with the Gold Over America Tour (another GOAT acronym). In a statement, Biles said the show "will match athleticism and entertainment" with a mission of "empowerment and togetherness."
That year, Biles made a shocking move when she left Nike and signed an endorsement deal with Athleta. In the announcement, the gymnast said she appreciated how the lifestyle brand supported her vision to impact others.
“I felt like it wasn’t just about my achievements, it’s what I stood for and how they were going to help me use my voice and also be a voice for females and kids,” she said at the time. “I feel like they also support me, not just as an athlete, but just as an individual outside of the gym and the change that I want to create, which is so refreshing.”
The showcase hadn't toured since then and was revived after this year's Olympic competition. This year's 30-city tour started on September 16 in Oceanside, California and wraps up November 3 in Detroit, Michigan. Kick The Concrete attended the Denver stop and our minds were blown.
Warning: Lots of screaming girls!
The Gold Over America Tour is a hybrid between a gymnastics skills showcase, a dance performance and a high-energy pop concert. The event layout featured a runway down the middle with the various gymnastics events set up on both sides and a spring floor at the end.
The show was thrilling from the start. A video message from Snoop Dogg, who was the ultimate ambassador at the Olympics, kicked things off. Then all of the athletes were introduced during a routine choreographed to Beyoncé and Jay z's "Crazy in Love" where lights swirled around the set. Jade Carey, Brody Malone and Jordan Chiles received a big ovation. But the crowd went wild with the introduction of Biles, who was clearly the star of the evening.
The performance showcased a variety of jaw-dropping routines that wove in pop culture references. One of the next scenes featured a pommel horse and bars routine to AC/DC's "Thunderstruck." There was a Barbie scene complete with a rendition of "I'm Just Ken" and a clever airline-themed segment where the gymnasts soared. Exquisite choreography to Taylor Swift's "You Need To Calm Down" was followed by a trio of sweet duets to the pop star's "Love Story." Yes, the crowd was singing along enthusiastically.
The message of inspiring others to overchome hardship was powerful during one specific routine to Todrick Hall's "No Place Like Home." There was a voice track of the 11-time medalist explaining how, after pulling out of the 2021 Tokyo Olympics because she was experiencing the twisties, she grounded herself in the idea of home.
After intermission, the gymnasts who were part of Team USA for the 2024 Olympics were joined by Shane Wiskus and Yul Moldauer, who were part of the 2021 team. The intention was to give the athletes who didn't have an audience due to COVID a chance to feel fan support. Moldauer grew up in Denver and shouted out the gym where he cut his teeth, 5280 Gymnastics. The crowd cheered fervently.
There was something for everyone at the Gold Over America Tour. Whether you enjoy rap music or are a Swiftie, you're a die-hard gymnastics enthusiast or simply think it's cool that Flavor Flav gave Chiles a bronze clock and wanted to see more. The routines were incredible and a nice balance between fun and reflective. And the pressure of competing was replaced with a light, joyful spirit that was contagious.
Not everyone will have the privilege to witness the Olympics, the world's pinnacle of athletics achievement, in person. The Gold Over America Tour is the next best thing in gymnastics. If not better.
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