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Simone Biles will compete on Saturday for the first time in two years, since dramatically bowing out of the all-around competition at the Tokyo Olympics due to a spatial affliction 

The U.S. Classic, taking place in the Chicago suburb of Hoffman Estates, is the last chance for athletes to qualify for the national championships in San Jose later this month.

 in a U.S. national team camp last month and reportedly 

 in every event but the uneven bars — traditionally her “weakest” apparatus — in which she took third. The superstar has been busy with other things since the Olympics, including getting married this spring to NFL safety Jonathan Owens.

Biles hasn’t said much about her return, other than a few Instagram posts and 

: “sorry I’ve been a little MIA since the announcement. I’m overwhelmed with all of your messages, support & love! excited to get back out on the competition floor! XOXO.”

 that Biles would be competing, her future in the sport had been unclear. When she withdrew at the Olympics, 

she cited immense pressure and mental health concerns

Not long after the news that Biles would be competing at the U.S. Classic, 

 the Core Hydration Classic due to a new sponsorship with the water company. 

Sunisa “Suni” Lee, who won all-around gold in Tokyo after Biles dropped out, will be making her own comeback this weekend. She followed her Olympic success by competing in NCAA gymnastics at Auburn University the last two years, before cutting her sophomore season short in April 

In addition to Biles and Lee, Jade Carey and Jordan Chiles will compete — both were medalists in Tokyo. Kayla DiCello and Skye Blakely, who both medaled at recent World Championships, will also be looking to make their mark and start

down the road to the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Biles’ return is great news for USA Gymnastics, which announced 

 on Thursday — the largest partnership ever for the organization and the first time Nike will be its official apparel and footwear sponsor. The deal marks the end of a several-year period where brands shied away from the sport's governing body, whose reputation was severely damaged by former team doctor Larry Nassar's sexual abuse of gymnasts and 

“I can’t say enough in terms of what [the Nike] announcement means in terms of how far we’ve come as an organization,” USA Gymnastics’ chief executive Li Li Leung 

Biles and the other Olympic and World medalists will compete Saturday evening from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. CT, broadcast live on CNBC and streamed on Peacock. NBC will air highlights from the competition on Sunday at 2:30 p.m. CT. For those outside the U.S., there will be 

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Laurel Wamsley

Author

Biles’ return is great news for USA Gymnastics, which just announced a new sponsorship deal with Nike. Also returning is Suni Lee, who took home the Olympic all-around gold after Biles dropped out.

Simone Biles returns to competition this weekend for the first time since Tokyo

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