Aimee Boorman, the longtime personal coach of Olympic champion Simone Biles, is walking away from the suburban Houston gym that both called home during their rise to international renown.
Boorman announced on Monday that she is leaving the World Champions Centre, the 56,000 sq ft gym commissioned by Biles’ parents as a retirement venture in 2013, to become the executive director of women’s gymnastics at Evo Athletics in Sarasota, Florida.
“My vision for what a gymnastics facility should be is reflected in Evo,” Boorman said in a statement. “Not only having world-class equipment and staff, but the dedication to exceeding the needs of all members of the Evo family, athletes, their families’ coaches and staff while providing a platform for developing young athletes to reach their great potential.”
The 43-year-old Boorman, who was the head coach of the US women’s team under national team coordinator Martha Karolyi, led the Americans to a record nine medals at the Rio Olympics.
Biles, who has studied under Boorman since taking up gymnastics at eight years old, accounted for five of those including four golds. The 19-year-old is taking a hiatus before deciding whether to return to the sport.
“We were both sad, but [Simone] understands that life moves on and she knows that if she plans to continue in gymnastics … I will always be willing to coach her,” Boorman told People magazine. “I will be there as a mentor.”
