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Gymnast Simone Biles 'nervous' about lack of family at Olympics

Gymnast Simone Biles walks to an event during the Women's U.S. Olympic Gymnastic Trials on Friday at the The Dome at America's Center in St. Louis. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI
1 of 5 | Gymnast Simone Biles walks to an event during the Women's U.S. Olympic Gymnastic Trials on Friday at the The Dome at America's Center in St. Louis. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo

June 30 (UPI) -- Gymnast Simone Biles opened up about her childhood and said she'll be "nervous" at the Tokyo Olympics because of rules that prevent families from attending the Summer Games in the latest episode of Simone vs. Herself.

Biles spoke about her past, present and future in the third episode of the docuseries, which aired Tuesday on Facebook Watch.

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The 24-year-old dominated the 2016 Summer Games. She claimed four gold medals in Rio de Janeiro. Like most other Olympians, Biles was forced to wait an extra year for a chance to return for the postponed 2020 Summer Games.

Tokyo organizers announced in March that no foreign spectators can attend the games, which run July 23 to Aug. 8.

Biles said her competition routine includes a search for her parents to "calm" her nerves.

"It will definitely be weird not having my family there because they've never missed a competition," Biles said. "I'm nervous that I might freak out over that.

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"I think what I'm going to do is try not to locate them in the crowd."

"My husband I have attended every event," said Biles' mom, Nellie. "To think we won't attend this one is heartbreaking."

Nellie and Ron Biles -- Simone's maternal grandfather -- adopted Simone in 2003 after she spent time in foster care. She was first exposed to gymnastics during a daycare field trip when she was 6.

"I feel like without gymnastics, I would kind of be lost," Biles said. "Nothing in this sport is handed to you. Everything you've done, you've earned."

Biles qualified for Team USA on Sunday at the U.S Olympic Trials in St. Louis and is expected to be the top gymnast in Tokyo. She admits she's not an "emotional person" and believes that trait came from her rise through gymnastics.

"I've had to learn how to be emotional and vulnerable," Biles said. "It's such a hard sport that you try to be like a robot. Outside of the sport, you have to relax, try be yourself and try to be human."

Biles' family and coach Cecile Canqueteau-Landi said that the gymnast is "different" than she was at the 2016 Summer Games because of her relationship with her boyfriend, Houston Texans safety Jonathan Owens, buying a home in Houston and overall happiness.

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"When you are happy in your outside life, you are a lot happier in what you have to do," Canqueteau-Landi said. "You can totally see it. She got her house and she has a great boyfriend, who is very supportive and pushing her to be the best she can be.

"I think it all came together and she feels like she's not alone. You can see it. She's different."

Owens and Biles went public with their relationship about a year ago. Owens said he didn't know of Biles' gymnastics accolades or fame when they met.

Biles, Sunisa Lee, Jordan Chiles and Grace McCallum each clinched spots for the four-woman American team in Tokyo. MyKayla Skinner and Jade Carey also earned spots and will compete as individuals.

The men's team features Brody Malone, Yul Moldauer, Sam Mikulak, Shane Wiskus and Alec Yoder.

Notable Olympians returning to Summer Games

Simone Biles stands on the floor after winning the gold medal in the floor exercise at the Olympic Arena of the Rio Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro on August 16, 2016. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo

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