05 December 2019

US gymnastics star Simone Biles to headline post-Olympics tour of America with long-time friend Katelyn Ohashi

US gymnastics star Simone Biles is going to headline a post-Olympics tour of America next autumn.

The tour, named 'Gold over America', is said to have entertainment elements as well as sports. The 35-date show will visit the gymnast's hometown of Houston and is aiming to inspire the next generation of female athletes.

Biles, who is expected to win big at the Olympics in Tokyo, has said the idea originated after her break following the 2016 Rio Games.

She said: “When we found out I was coming back, we kind of sat down and talked about things I would want to do.

“They said it could be as small as starting a perfume line or maybe as big as a tour. I was like, ‘actually, that would be pretty sweet. That would be the coolest thing ever'," she told Associated Press.

Katelyn Ohashi was the American junior gymnastics champion in 2012 (PA Images)

The roster will consist of women-only and so far only one name has been confirmed - Biles' long-time friend Katelyn Ohashi. The fellow gymnast was the American junior gymnastics champion in 2012.

The pair competed against each other growing up and Biles has said how impressed she is with her friend's impact on the sport.

"She put college gymnastics and gymnastics back on the map. She has impacted a lot of female gymnasts and I think this really brings us full circle," said Biles.

“We’re looking at the top of the line [to be on the tour] and the best gymnasts from elite."

The star's former UCLA coach Val Kondos Field will also be involved in the project as a choreographer and executive producer.

USA gymnastics said: “Simone is an amazing athlete and person and having her own tour will give her a stage to showcase her skills and talent, as well as those of other women."

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