Kevin Durant visited a gymnastics event for the first time and was amazed by Simone Biles and her level of skill. The basketball star said Biles inspired him to be a greater athlete.
Kevin Durant is just six points away from being the top scorer in the Olympics for Team USA, surpassing Hall of Famer Lisa Leslie. While at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, Durant was taken aback by the talent and the level of another legendary athlete - Simone Biles.
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Puerto RicoEarlier on Saturday, Biles won her 7th Olympic gold medal at the gymnastics vault final. Considered one of the all-time greats of the sport, Biles stunned Durant when he finally got the chance to see her perform live.
"Seeing Simone probably was the highlight so far," KD said after the win against Puerto Rico. "I've never been to a gymnastic event up close like that. Obviously, I watched it on TV, but it's different when you're there. And just to see her greatness along with the other girls who put so much time into their craft, it's just amazing to see how great they've become."
"I didn't know that Simone is considered, like, old at 27. It is a young sport," Durant said. "You see a couple of 16-year-olds there doing their things, too. You see so many great athletes in that sport coming up in the next few years, in the next few Olympics. So I'm looking forward to following a little bit more."
Simone Biles was at the center of public controversy when she withdrew from gymnastics in the middle of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics due to "twisties", a gymnastics-specific temporary loss of mid-air awareness.
During the period between the two Olympics, Biles came out as a victim to Larry Nassar, a former US Gymnastics doctor who has now been convicted to 60+ years in prison for sexual assault involving hundreds of gymnastics athletes.
Biles has been an outspoken advocate of taking care of your mental health no matter your circumstances.
Even during the 2024 Paris Olympics, Biles admitted to being overwhelmed by other athletes wanting to take pictures with her. She ultimately refused it a number of times, prioritizing her mental well-being.
"When people see so much potential, and you're at an early age, you won't get nitpicked like that, and she's been through it at the highest of highest levels. And for her to continue to come out and showcase the brilliance every day and also let people know that they sound crazy talking against her… To be able to do both is inspiring," Durant said.
"So, yeah, she's inspired me to keep tweeting and keep doing what I do on the court too."
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