Simone Biles Says Her ‘Body Needed This Break’ After Olympics — but Now She’s ‘Very Excited’ for G.O.A.T. Tour (Exclusive)

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“I’m most excited for the fans to see the best of both worlds,” she says. “Men’s and women’s gymnastics in one arena, at the same exact time, sharing the same floor.”

Simone Biles has not exactly been a frequent flyer at her home training facility, World Champions Centre, of late.

“Truthfully, I’ve only gone into the gym to practice a handful of times because of my schedule,” the 11-time Olympic medalist tells PEOPLE in an exclusive interview on the eve of her Gold Over America Tour. “I’ve barely been home, but my body needed this break, so I’m not mad about it.” 

After suffering a calf injury during the Paris Olympics, Biles wore a boot while carrying the Olympic flag during the Closing Ceremony, and was seen sporting the accessory in the weeks after her epic “comeback,” in which she won four medals at the Games.

Now, she’s gearing up for the Gold Over America Tour (aka G.O.A.T., in a nod to Biles’ nickname), which kicks off on Sept. 16 in Oceanside, Calif., the first of 30 cities where the “pop concert-style spectacle” will stop.

“I’m very excited about the tour and I think having this time off helped me prepare — mentally and physically,” Biles, 27, tells PEOPLE.

The icon is headlining the event that will showcase her G.O.A.T. tendencies, as well as the high-flying talent of other Team USA gymnasts, including Jordan Chiles, Jade Carey, Hezly Rivera, Fred Richard, Paul Juda and Brody Malone.

Simone Biles Gold Over America Tour

“I’m most excited for the fans to see the best of both worlds,” she says. “Men’s and women’s gymnastics in one arena, at the same exact time, sharing the same floor.”

In her performance, the icon is bringing most of her repertoire, she says, including her epic double layouts and the Biles I on floor.

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Sadly, one skill, however, will be gone — but not forgotten.

“We are definitely retiring the Yurchenko double pike,” Biles — who hilariously posted a tongue-in-cheek funeral for the “world’s most difficult” vault, aka the Biles II, on Instagram earlier this month — says, laughing. “No more! She had a good run!”

Simone Biles Gold Over America Tour

Instead, the gymnast is focusing on “inspiring future generations” while on the tour, which will be “a time to give back” to all of her supportive fans, she says.

As for the G.O.A.T.’s future beyond the G.O.A.T.?

Biles and her husband, Chicago Bears safety Jonathan Owens, are ready to make a move — into their long-awaited new home.

“Jonathan is very low-key and let me lead with the design and build process,” Biles says.”We feel so blessed to be able to build our dream home. We can’t wait to officially move in and expand our family one day.”

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