Instagram Casimir SchmidtCasimir Schmidt (left) with Simone Biles (middle) during a visit to the Chicago Bears American Football game
NOS Sport•vandaag, 06:09
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Franklin Stoker
Sports editor
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Franklin Stoker
Sports editor
It was the trip of a lifetime for gymnast Casimir Schmidt. After eight intense and at the same time wonderful weeks, his tour through the United States with superstar Simone Biles has come to an end. “I’ll never forget this. This was so cool.”
Between September and November, Schmidt, born in Hoofddorp, was one of a group of eighteen gymnasts who crossed the US in seven weeks for 32 shows in 30 cities.
Gymnastics icon Biles played the leading role in the so-called ‘Gold over America Tour‘, which can be abbreviated as GOAT (better known as ‘Greatest of all Time’). This tour, which was organized for the second time after 2021, is an ode to gymnastics for Biles.
Good friends
Schmidt has been good friends with the American for some time. He immediately pointed to himself with a smile when Biles asked him in 2023 if he knew any gymnasts who would like to participate in the tour. An adventure was born.
“I really felt like a rock star for a moment,” Schmidt said on Monday from the airport in Detroit, where he had his last show on Sunday evening. “I would love to do it again, without a doubt. My highlight? How we pulled this off as a group.”
Schmidt was part of a spectacular show, which was an interplay of music, dance and artistic exercises. Biles was the radiant and loudly acclaimed centerpiece.
Casimir SchmidtSimone Biles (left) and Casimir Schmidt (third from right) during one of their performances
The 29-year-old Dutchman had to get used to the rehearsals, which lasted a week. “We worked long days, sometimes more than twelve hours. I really had to get into it, because the dance element is something different. It’s not like you just do a few steps during a night out.”
Touring buses, coffee shops and Mario Kart
But it didn’t take long before Schmidt, who finished thirteenth in the all-around final at the Paris Olympics, got used to all the routines. “We slept in the coach overnight and then woke up the next morning in a new city. I would always walk around, to find a nice coffee shop somewhere, for example.”
“We received a briefing in the afternoon, since you deal with a different stadium every time. The shows often started at 7:30 p.m. and afterwards we did different things: sometimes we had a bite to eat somewhere or just with some crew members on the bus Mario Playing kart on the Nintendo. Around 11:30 PM we left for a new city.”
Biles-karavaan
With six coaches and five trucks, the gymnasts and crew, approximately sixty people were part of the Biles caravan, moved from place to place across the United States. “It was tough at times, but you get used to that rhythm.”
The spectator numbers varied each time, according to Schmidt. “One time we performed in front of 18,000 people, but sometimes there were 5,000 people in the stands.”
Schmidt sometimes went from one surprise to another. This is how he met former top tennis player Serena Williams, who is a big fan of Biles. “She really took the time for us, which is nice to experience. We also had a guest appearance on television at the final of America’s Got Talent.”
Casimir SchmidtCasimir Schmidt during one of his exercises in Simone Biles’ show
The good bond between Schmidt and Biles was also evident at the end of October when all gymnasts had a planned five-day rest period. “Everyone went home to recharge, but I stayed in the United States. I thought the trip to the Netherlands was too long. I then went with Simone,” Schmidt explained.
The Dutchman did not sleep in a hotel, but ‘just’ at Biles’s home. Just like friends do for each other.
A few days later, Schmidt also traveled with her to Los Angeles for the presentation of the second part of the Netflix documentary ‘Simone Biles Rising’. It is about the gymnastics legend’s comeback after a long period away from the sport due to mental problems.
Popular
Schmidt was constantly reminded in Biles’ presence of how great her status is in the United States. “She is so popular. Simone cannot normally walk on the street without being approached or someone wanting a selfie with her. But she handles it well.”
Casimir SchmidtCasimir Schmidt a Simone Biles
Schmidt now has mixed feelings on the way home. “Facing each other as a group was emotional. For some, this is the end of their gymnastics career and perhaps also the last time they have performed in front of a large audience.”
“We were constantly on each other’s lips and you are never alone for a moment. You build a bond with each other during that period. But at the same time, I am now really looking forward to going home, I have missed my family.”
WK gymnastics in Rotterdam
Schmidt will soon resume training with the World Gymnastics Championships in Rotterdam in 2026 as a dot on the horizon. “I hope to be able to show something beautiful. The 2028 Games? That is still a long way away. First the World Cup in our own country.”
At the World Cup in 2026, the roles could simply be reversed: Schmidt taking his good friend Biles in tow. “Ha, who knows. But I have no idea if that will happen. Simone hasn’t decided anything regarding her future yet.”
Casimir SchmidtAn excerpt from Simone Biles’ show (middle with hat)
