Houston celebrates U.S. gymnastics star's homecoming on 'Simone Biles Day'

Simone Biles acknowledges the crowd during a welcome home parade in Texas. (AP)

 

Everything’s bigger in Texas, and nobody’s bigger in Texas right now than Simone Biles.

	Simone Biles @Simone_Biles
being home never felt better 8:19 AM - 25 Aug 2016

The 19-year-old U.S. gymnastics star arrived home to a massive celebration. Houston Texans cheerleaders and a marching band welcomed her to Bush Airport, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner proclaimed it “Simone Biles Day” and police escorted her home on streets lined with fans.

	Sylvester Turner @SylvesterTurner
On behalf of all #Houstonians, we welcome home @Simone_Biles & all returning #Houston area #Olympians. #Rio2016 pic.twitter.com/UoAxMt8Frd 2:05 PM - 24 Aug 2016

“Hi guys, I’m Simone Biles, and I can’t thank everyone [enough] in all of Houston for coming out to see me today and to welcome me from Rio,” she said. “I don’t know what else to say, I’m nervous, and I love you guys.”

Biles grew up in nearby Spring, Texas, where the suburb threw a parade in her honor. She arrived home Wednesday from Rio de Janeiro for the first time since capturing five Olympic medals, following a few days in New York City that included a Jimmy Fallon appearance with her Final Five teammates.

	Lauren Tostenson @LaurenTostKHOU
Welcome home @Simone_Biles! Even I got a little teary watching her role into her home town :) What an awesome moment pic.twitter.com/6mfQ9gZjMB 1:20 PM - 24 Aug 2016 from Spring, TX

She won’t be home long. Biles leaves in mid-September on a 36-city tour across the country with her fellow USA Gymnastics stars, including fellow Olympic gold medalists Aly Raisman and Gabby Douglas.