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Opinion: Simone Biles follows Michael Phelps, Usain Bolt as Olympic icons

USA TODAY

INDIANAPOLIS – The notion of filling the void left by Michael Phelps and Usain Bolt, of being the face of the Tokyo Olympics, it would be overwhelming if Simone Biles let herself think about it too much.

So she doesn’t.

Oh, she knows what’s coming. She remembers Phelps and Bolt being everywhere she looked in the months leading up to the Rio Games. Same before London. With both now retired, the Olympics needs a new icon and, as the world’s most dominant athlete these last four years — not just gymnast, mind you, athlete — Biles is the logical choice.