Four World Champions Centre-trained gymnastics women are headed to the Paris Olympics! Simone Biles, Jordan Chiles, Joscelyn Roberson, and Tiana Sumanasekera, the non-traveling replacement athlete, are ready to take on the City of Love. Before they boarded their flight, a heartwarming send-off took place in their Spring, Texas, gym just 11 days before the games.

In an Instagram post, WCC shared a snippet of the wholesome day, writing, “WCC 2024 Olympic send off!!! A very special day for these ladies, families, coaches, and teammates.” The gym was filled with all the little and older women, their parents, husbands, and loved ones, showering the four women with love and appreciation. The event kicked off with a dance session, followed by heartfelt speeches from gym owner and Simone Biles’ mother, Nellie Biles, and applause all around.

The women received their GK Elite leotards and gift boxes tied with blue, white, and red ribbons with stars. Inside, they found white Nike sneakers, each mismatched with one blue and one red shoe, decorated with the American flag theme. They also received personal gifts for their time away at the Paris Olympics.

Tokens came from local businesses and communities that appreciated their hometown heroes. The NFL team Houston Texans sent a bouquet of red roses for each woman, OZONE Leotards provided amazing sneakers, House of Strawberry gave beautiful custom hats, and Royal Rhinestones offered stunning gems. Each athlete also received bags with journals, the American flag, and even gold medals.

The event concluded with prayers over all the athletes and their families by Champion Forest Baptist Church. Each important member of their journey was present, including their coaches, Cecile and Laurent Landi, Simone Biles’ husband, Jonathan Owens, and Simone’s father, Ronald Biles. Training at WCC has become a sanctuary for countless girls, preparing them to bring home gold for their country while making their gym proud. They also shared heartfelt personal farewells before heading to Paris.

Paris-bound Olympians Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles say farewell to their safe haven WCC

The idea to build the World Champions Center (WCC), came to Nellie Biles right after her daughter Simone won her first World Champion title in Antwerp, Belgium, back in 2013. Nellie, a former nurse, explained, “Aimee Boorman, Simone’s coach since childhood, was leaving the gym where she worked, my partners and I were through with the nursing home business that we owned and I wasn’t ready to retire, so I said ‘let’s build a gym where Simone and other kids can train with state-of-the-art equipment in a healthy and safe environment.” In just a few years, WCC has become a haven where gymnasts thrive, thanks to its star athlete, Simone Biles, her family, and coaches.

Sharing her emotions on Instagram, Simone posted a heartfelt message alongside a photo inside the gym her parents built, saying, “LAST PRACTICE. All the feels.” Even Jordan Chiles, who battled confidence issues and bullying in her early gymnastics career, joined Simone in Texas in June 2019. Leaving her siblings, church, and longtime home behind in Vancouver, Washington, was a tough sacrifice, but it paid off. Jordan credits WCC for providing a safe space, guided by coaches Cécile and Laurent Landi.

Jordan also shared a photo of the bustling gym with foam-covered floors, writing, “It’s been real @worldchampionscentret.” Coach Cécile Landi, who will be supporting the athletes in Paris, said goodbye with a photo of the gym from the road outside, writing, “See you in a month” with a wave goodbye. As the training center becomes their second home and teammates feel like family, it’s such a special moment as the women head off to the Paris Olympics. What are your thoughts on this send-off? Drop your comments below!