Simone Biles, lauded as the greatest gymnast of all time, will make a special appearance at next month’s home opener for the University of Georgia’s GymDogs gymnastics team.
Biles’ personal coach, Cécile Canqueteau-Landi, was hired as the team’s co-head coach in April. She coached the 27-year-old gold medalist to the Rio, Tokyo and Paris Olympic Games.
The GymDogs will start the 2025 season in Denver on Jan. 12. They’ll return for their first home meet of the season Jan. 17 against Boise State at Stegeman Coliseum.
The team has dubbed the event Olympics Night and Alumni Night. The first 500 UGA students to arrive will receive a gray belt bag, and the first 300 kids at the kid’s zone will get to take home an imitation gold medal, according to a press release.
“We are super excited to announce that special guest Simone Biles will be attending the Gymdogs’ first home meet of the season!” the team posted to social media.
The upcoming season will be the team’s first under Canqueteau-Landi and co-head coach Ryan Roberts, a former assistant coach who was promoted this year.
Before joining UGA, Canqueteau-Landi earned an impressive resume. She trained and mentored 13 USA Women’s Senior National Team members, including Olympic and World team and individual champions Biles and Madison Kocian, and World team champions Alyssa Baumann, Jordan Chiles and Joscelyn Roberson.
Single-meet tickets for the home opener can be purchased online at GeorgiaDogs.com. The meet will begin at 7 p.m. Gates will open at 6 p.m.