Simone Biles Witnesses Japan's First Pairs Skating Gold

Simone Biles has delivered under Olympic pressure more times than most athletes can imagine, so when she calls a performance "perfection," people listen.

The gymnastics superstar was in the stands at Milano Ice Skating Arena Monday night when Japan's Miura Riku and Kihara Ryuichi skated into history. The pair became Japan's first Olympic champions in pairs figure skating, and Biles knew she was watching something special the moment it happened.

"Wow! I think they're new Olympic champions!" Biles told Olympics.com as the Japanese skaters couldn't hold back tears following their nearly flawless routine. "I'm pretty sure that was perfection."

Biles understands exactly what the duo faced going into their gold medal skate. The pair entered Milano 2026 as defending world champions, a position Biles knows intimately from her own three Olympic appearances. She competed at Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020, and Paris 2024 all as the reigning world champion in gymnastics.

"There's just a lot of pressure to deliver again and to become Olympic champion," Biles said before the Japanese took the ice. "That's what everyone expects of you already."

Why This Inspires

Watching champions celebrate other champions reminds us that excellence recognizes excellence. Biles could have been anywhere in the world this week, but she chose to experience the magic of the Olympics as a fan, appreciating the artistry and pressure from a completely different sport.

Her presence in Milano also shows how athletes support each other across disciplines. She's been soaking up Italian culture with her husband Jonathan Owens, enjoying pasta, shopping, spa days, and mostly eating her way through the city.

While this week she's happily out of the spotlight, Biles is still on a mission. Despite all the pasta she's enjoyed, the 23-time world champion hasn't found the perfect pizza yet. "I haven't even had pizza one time, only pasta," she laughed. "We do need to find pizza and maybe gelato."

From witnessing history on the ice to hunting for the perfect slice, Biles is savoring every moment of her first Winter Olympics as a spectator.