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Simone Biles Performs to Israeli Star Noa Kirel’s ‘Unicorn’ in Her Gymnastics Return After Two-Year Hiatus
by Shiryn Ghermezian
Simone Biles competes in the floor exercise during the Core Hydration Classic at NOW Arena in Illinois on Aug 5, 2023. Photo: Jon Durr-USA TODAY Sports via Reuters
Simone Biles made a triumphant return to competitive gymnastics over the weekend by winning the gold medal in women’s all-around at the 2023 Core Hydration Classic after performing her floor exercise to the music of Noa Kirel’s Unicorn, the song that represented Israel at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest.
The four-time Olympic gold medalist, 26, dominated the Core Hydration Classic in Chicago, Illinois, with an overall score of 59.1, having the best score in three of the four events — balance beam, floor exercise and vault. She came in third place in the uneven bars category.
Kirel performed Unicorn in May at the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest where she came in third place, which was Israel’s best finish in the competition since 2018, when singer Netta Barzilai won the contest with her song Toy. Kirel told Israeli media she was “so excited and shocked” that Biles chose Unicorn to perform to during her comeback to gymnastics after a two-year hiatus.
“There is no doubt that she made history and she is amazing and that moved me so much,” the Israeli singer said, referring to Biles. “She represents exactly the values that this song represents, and it’s one of the craziest things that’s happened to me. And how fun it is that she chose this song, my song, and really everything connects with everything she represents and shows to the world. It’s fun to have such female power.”
Biles’ performance over the weekend was the first time that she competed in gymnastics since the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. She stopped competing after making the decision to “focus on her mental health,” USA Gymnastics at the time. Her gold medal win over the weekend also continues her winning streak in the women’s all-round finals to 25 meets over the span of 10 years, according to Fox News. Biles remains one of the most decorated American gymnasts of all time.
“Tears of joy as I make this comeback, surrounded by the love you’ve shown! thank you for believing in me,” the gymnast, who has 26 individual Olympic and World medals, wrote in an Instagram post on Sunday that included a photo of herself fist pumping the air at the Core Hydration Classic. She added on Twitter: “Happy to be back out on the floor! This journey has been a rollercoaster of emotions.”
Watch Simone Biles perform her floor exercise at the 2023 Core Hydration Classic to an instrumental version of Unicorn by Noa Kirel:
