Simone Biles reunites with loved ones in hero's welcome home

Simone Biles was all smiles as she returned home to a hero's reception, following a tumultuous Olympic Games campaign.

The American gymnastics superstar created global headlines in Tokyo after pulling out of the women's team event, due to mental health concerns.

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She then withdrew from all but one of her individual events, before returning to claim bronze in the balance beam.

Biles' situation has sparked fierce debate in the United States, with some critics accusing her of being selfish and letting her teammates down.

There has been an overwhelming amount of support and understanding for the 24-year-old regarded as the greatest female gymnast of all time.

That was evidenced by touching scenes as she returned home from Tokyo to Houston, where fans waited for her at the airport and cheered loudly as she made her way out.

Fans also turned out to throw Biles a parade after she landed.

Biles — and American teammate Jordan Chiles — waved to fans, who lined up on the side of the road to express their gratitude to both members of Team USA Gymnastics.

Following the parade, Biles then showed up at a Houston Texans training camp to cheer on her boyfriend and cornerback Jonathan Owens.

Photos showed the pair laughing and chatting together, clearly happy to be enjoying one another's company again.

Biles posted a lovely photo of the smiling pair cuddling up to one another that read: "Open practices aka bring your girlfriend to work day," accompanied by a love heart emoji.

Simone Biles suffered family tragedy before Games

The gymnast's experience in Tokyo did not go to plan after she developed the "twisties," a phenomenon where a gymnast loses their spatial awareness while in the air.

The American superstar sensationally pulled out of multiple events due to the issue in a move that left the world stunned.

Despite her bout with the "twisties," Biles took home two medals though after a silver in the team artistic all-around, and a bronze in the balance beam - the one individual event that she entered.

Speaking to reporters after winning bronze, Biles revealed the family tragedy that has also affected her during a tumultuous time in Tokyo.

Biles revealed her aunt "unexpectedly" died while she was preparing for her Olympics campaign.

Coach Cecile Canqueteau-Landi described it as a "week from hell" for Biles.

“I was like, ‘Oh my god. This week needs to be over'," Canqueteau-Landi told People.

"I asked her, ‘What do you need?’ And she said, ‘I’ll just need some time.’ I said, ‘You call me, text me, if you need anything I’ll be here. Whatever that is.’

“She called her parents. She said, ‘There’s nothing I can do from over here. So I’m just going to finish my week and when I get home we’ll deal with it.’”

with agencies

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