Two-time Olympian Mélanie de Jesus dos Santos has officially announced her return to the competition floor. The former World Champions Centre teammate of Simone Biles will enter the 2026 French Elite Championships scheduled from July 24 in Albi, France.

De Jesus dos Santos will aim to bury her memory of the 2024 Paris Olympics and embark on a new chapter following her lengthy break from competition.

After months of anticipation about her career, Inside Gymnastics Magazine confirmed her return via Instagram.

The French Star declared, “In two weeks, I leave for French Elite Championships.”

The French gymnast endured a heartbreaking time at Paris 2024. Her fall on the opening routine on uneven bars was just the start, as she committed errors in three of her day's four routines.

She grabbed the balance beam while performing on the apparatus and fell on the floor exercise during her double layout.

Her collapse at the event ended with the team not qualifying for any finals. De Jesus dos Santos also didn't qualify for the individual finals.

Feeling weighed down by her performance, she subsequently took a break from the sport. She later reflected on the incident and the accompanying disappointment

“I really hated the sport," she told Olympics.com in 2025. "I hated it because it felt like it took a whole part of my life, and in the end, I felt like I wasn’t rewarded.”

She returned to her native island and birthplace of Martinique. De Jesus dos Santos left the island at the age of 12 to train in France and later in Houston, Texas. During that decade, she visited Martinique only once or twice.

The gymnast highlighted the island for helping her slow down and evaluate her choices. She credited returning to her roots and Simone Biles' post-Paris tour for aiding in her recovery.

“[The tour] was the best thing that could have happened after the Games," she stated.

Surrounding herself with family and adopting a slower life proved to be fundamental in her healing process.

“It’s done me so much good. I don’t want to say I lost time,” Mélanie admitted." she said. “Finding that ‘Martinique Mélanie again – that feels really good.”

Her return to competing highlights the importance of prioritizing one's mental well-being. De Jesus dos Santos' former teammate, Biles, also highlighted her mental health when asked about competing at LA 2028.

A successful outing at the French Elite Championships might also prompt the French athlete to consider another shot at Olympic gold.

How de Jesus dos Santos and Biles' paths crossed

Before they shared the spotlight on the Olympic stage, Mélanie de Jesus dos Santos and Simone Biles began their journey on the training floor in Texas.

In 2022, de Jesus dos Santos moved to Texas to train at the World Champions Centre, which Biles' family owns. She trained under Cécile and Laurent Landi, coaches who laid the foundation for the American gymnast's career.

Later, the two were seen at Biles' Gold Over America Tour, which was scheduled right after the Paris Games. De Jesus dos Santos has credited its stress-free environment for helping her heal and process her setback at the Paris Olympics.

As 2028 draws near, it will be interesting to see if the two Olympians cross paths yet again.

Read more at the Gymnastics Digest!

Written by

Sebi Mehta

Edited by

Sijo Paul