Simone Biles recalled Martha Karoyli — Simone Biles recalled Martha Karolyi's words following her fall at the American Cup. (Images by Getty)

"Get that head screwed on right"- When Simone Biles opened up about Marta Karolyi's words as she aimed to compete against Gabby Douglas & Aly Raisman

Modified Dec 22, 2024 11:48 GMT

Simone Biles once opened up on Marta Karolyi's words as she geared up to compete against Gabby Douglas and Aly Raisman. Under Karolyi's guidance, Biles clinched four gold medals at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Karolyi joined the U.S. national team as the team coordinator in 2001. She and her late husband Bela Karolyi are considered one of the most successful gymnastics coaches in history. Although the couple has been accused of callous training methods, Martha's approach was different and generally more favored by the gymnasts.

In her autobiography 'Courage to Soar: A Body in Motion, A Life in Balance,' Biles shared how as a senior gymnast competing against stars like Gabby Douglas and Aly Raisman, she questioned whether her success was a fluke. Biles recalled the former coach's firm yet supportive advice to stay focused and trust in her abilities.

"On the competition circuit, I was now considered a senior, going up against Olympic stars like Gabby Douglas, Aly Raisman, and Kyla Ross," Biles wrote. "There was no question I could do the big skills, and yet as I went up against these talented girls, a part of me wondered if my recent success was a fluke.

"'Get that head screwed on right,' Martha had said after my fall off the beam at the American Cup. Here manner was stern and kind, as if she believed in my potential."

Simone Biles' successful streak at the 2016 Rio Olympics under Martha Karolyi's guidance

Simone Biles of United States during the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Bercy Arena in Paris, France. (Photo by Getty Images)

Simone Biles made her debut at the Olympics during the 2016 edition in Rio, where she collected five medals, including gold medals in all-around, team, vault, and floor exercise events. She also bagged a silver medal in the balance beam event.

Biles defeated her fellow teammate and American star gymnast Aly Raisman in the individual all-around and floor event. Along with Douglas, Laurie Hernandez, Madison Kocian, and Aly Raisman, she collected the team's gold medal. The team came to be known as Final Five as it was the final gymnastics team to be formed under Marta Karolyi as national team coordinator.

The legendary American gymnast started training under Marta Karolyi when she was 13 and was invited by the former national coach to her first developmental camp at the famed Karolyi Ranch in New Waverly, Texas.