Simone Biles hosts international gymnastics competition in Spring

SPRING, Texas (FOX 26) - The very first Simone Biles International Invitational Gymnastics Competition is going on all weekend at the World Champions Centre in Spring. From beginners to the more advanced, all ages showed up to compete on things like the balance beam and the vault.

Zachary Francis, the centers recreational program director says, " We have 950 athletes coming from 51 different facilities and the US, Abu Dhabi and from Mexico".

"It is really exciting. She's an exciting dynamic athlete, one of the best that we've ever seen in our sport for sure. So to be a part of an event with her name on it is very exciting," says Tiffani Ridenour, who is the center's team coordinator and program director.

Biles is a four-time Olympic gold medalist, who has won countless world championships.

"Whenever I was younger my whole team said they wanted to go to the Olympics and as you get older you say it and you're like there's only like five on a team," Biles says. "But then as I got older I was like 'wow maybe I can make it so then I decided to go for it.'"

Of course, the youngsters were excited to see her, as someone many say they aspire to be like and someone that shows how hard work and dedication pay off.

"It's a great facility, great group of girls. Simone is someone we can all look up to, she's a great gymnast, Olympic champion and we have a great group here," says Bayley Barnett, who will be competing this weekend.

To help cheer on the competitors, Biles brought out her companion dog Lilo.

"She's got our WCC logo on so she's cheering on all of our girls this weekend," Biles says.

So what is next for the all star gymnast after taking a year long break? Biles admits she wants to continue to hold a competitive spot in the world of gymnastics.

"Hopefully in the end and 2020 is a goal that I want to go but for now thinking championships and then worlds," says Biles.