As the most decorated American gymnast in Olympic history, Simone Biles has faced countless high-pressure moments on the world stage. But during the 2024 Paris Games, one moment stood out as particularly nerve-wracking—and it had nothing to do with gymnastics.
In a recent appearance on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, Biles opened up about the surprising experience that made her feel the most nervous during the Games. While discussing her time competing in Paris, Biles revealed that it wasn’t a complex gymnastics routine or a high-stakes competition that had her on edge—it was a seemingly simple task involving Hollywood star Tom Cruise.
Fallon praised Biles for the honor of carrying the Olympic flag during the closing ceremony and handing it off to Cruise, noting that the exchange must have been stressful. Biles agreed and explained just how nerve-wracking the moment truly was for her.
“I’m always tripping, falling down stairs—like, it’s bad for me,” Biles joked. “So, honestly, that was the most nervous I was for the entire Olympics. I kept thinking, ‘Okay, I have to hand the flag off. Don’t mess it up, don’t mess it up.’ I was terrified.”
While fans might have expected her most stressful moment to involve executing her signature Yurchenko double pike or navigating the balance beam, it was the Olympic flag hand-off to Tom Cruise that gave her the most anxiety. The gymnast, known for her cool under pressure during high-flying routines, was more concerned about a public hand-off in front of the world.
RELATED: Tom Cruise Wows with Spectacular Stunt at 2024 Paris Olympics Closing Ceremony
The hand-off with Cruise became a memorable moment in the closing ceremony, as it symbolized the official transfer from the Paris 2024 Games to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. The exchange marked a historic first—Biles became the first woman to pass the flag to another woman, commemorating the hand-off between two host cities. The LA28 Twitter account shared photos of the moment, captioned:
“Love a moment in history! First woman-to-woman flag transfer from Paris to LA to commemorate the official hand-off. Let’s go! It was an immense honor to participate in this moment of history, and it was such a privilege to stand with @Simone_Biles—someone who has made the…”
The Paris-to-LA transition was a historic moment, and Biles’ involvement underscored her role as a symbol of American excellence. But even with all her accomplishments, it was this unique honor, standing next to one of the biggest movie stars in the world, that made her heart race.
During her interview, Biles also hinted at her potential involvement in the 2028 Olympics, joking about how “old” she would be by then in gymnastics terms. However, the 11-time Olympic medalist showed no signs of slowing down. After her Paris triumph, Biles embarked on her nationwide “Gold Over America Tour,” all while supporting her husband, Jonathan Owens, a player for the Chicago Bears. Balancing her busy schedule, Biles continues to prove that her passion for gymnastics and her ability to inspire transcends the competition floor.
While Biles continues to make history, it’s clear that even the greatest athletes can have unexpectedly anxious moments.
For Simone Biles, it wasn’t the flips or the medals that made her the most nervous at the Olympics—it was passing the flag to Tom Cruise.
