8:00 P.M. EASTERN. I’M LESTER HOLT. I’LL SEE YOU BACK HERE I’M LESTER HOLT. I’LL SEE YOU BACK HERE >>> TONIGHT LIVE FROM PARIS THE >>> TONIGHT LIVE FROM PARIS THE FIRST BIG DAY OFCOSM COMPETITION USA SCORE ITS FIRST GOLD. A BEING ONE. THE EPIC RIVALRY IN THE POOL. THE AMERICAN MEN BLASTING PAST AUSTRALIA TO WIN GOLD IN THE RELAY. KATIE LEDECKY TAKING BRONZE IN WHAT’S CALLED THE RACE OF THE CENTURY, AND THE NASTY WEATHER SENDING THIS AMERICAN CYCLIST SKIDDING. THE BIG QUESTION TONIGHT -- WILL THEY HAVE TO CANCEL THE TRIATHLON SWIM IN THE SEINE AFTER ALL THAT RAIN? >>> BACK HOME, THE OUT-OF-CONTROL WILDFIRE IN CALIFORNIA. THOUSANDS EVACUATED, HOMES BURNED DOWN, AND THE FIRE-NADO CAUGHT ON CAMERA. OUR CORRESPONDENT ON THE FRONT LINES. >>> A MAJOR ESCALATION IN THE MIDDLE EAST. THE DEADLIEST ATTACK ON ISRAELI TERRITORY SINCE OCTOBER 7th, AND RISING FEARS A NEW FRONT IN THE WAR IS ABOUT TO OPEN. >>> FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP SHARPENING HIS LINES OF ATTACK ON VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS, AND WHAT NEW BATTLEGROUND POLLS REVEAL ABOUT JUST HOW CLOSE THE RACE IS NOW. >>> BACK HERE IN PARIS, I GO ONE ON ONE WITH MICHAEL PHELPS. WHAT HE TOLD ME ABOUT THE SWIMMERS CHASING HIS RECORDS. PLUS, WHAT COULD BE THE GREATEST OLYMPIC COMEBACK EVER BEFORE SIMONE BILES’ EPIC RETURN TOMORROW. SHE SITS DOWN WITH US. >>> THIS IS "NBC NIGHTLY NEWS." REPORTING TONIGHT FROM THE OLYMPICS IN PARIS. HERE IS LESTER HOLT. >>> GOOD EVENING FROM PARIS ON THIS FIRST OFFICIAL DAY OF COMPETITION OF THE OLYMPIC GAMES. THE RAIN CAME DOWN FOR MUCH OF THE DAY, BUT IT HAS NOT DAMPENED THE ENTHUSIASM WE’RE FEELING HERE. COVID RESTRICTIONS ARE NOW A DISTANT MEMORY. THE CROWDS ARE BACK, AND THE ATHLETES ARE PROVING WHY THEY ARE THE VERY BEST. TODAY THE FOCUS WAS ON THE ULTIMATE RIVALRY IN THE POOL. THE UNITED STATES VERSUS AUSTRALIA. INDICATION INDICATION CALEB DRESSEL HELPED LEAD TO THE KATIE LEDECKY BEGAN HER QUEST TO BE THE MOST DECORATED FEMALE OLYMPIAN EVER MEDALING IN THE 400-METER FREESTYLE. IT WAS BILLED AS THE RACE OF THE CENTURY. WITH SO MANY POWERHOUSE SWIMMERS COMPETING. WHILE SHE SCORED BRONZE, SHE HAS GOT MORE OPPORTUNITIES AHEAD TO STEP ATOP THE PODIUM IN THE DAYS AHEAD. WE START OUR COVERAGE TONIGHT WITH STEPHANIE GOSK WHO IS AT THE AQUATICS CENTER TODAY. >> Reporter: WHAT A WAY FOR TEAM USA TO WIN ITS FIRST GOLD MEDAL IN PARIS. HUNTER ARMSTRONG, JACK ALEXI, CHRIS JULIANO, AND KALE INDRESSEL DOMINATING THE FOUR-BY-100 RELAY. >> THE AMERICANS GET IT DONE AGAIN. >> IT WAS SURREAL. TRYING TO TAKE IN EVERY MOMENT. >> Reporter: DRESSEL ANCHORED THE RACE. HIS EIGHTH GOLD MEDAL MIGHT HAVE BEEN HIS SWEETEST. IT WAS THE FIRST WITNESSED BY HIS 6-MONTH-OLD SON, AUGUST. >> REALLY SPECIAL MAKING THE TEAM IN FRONT OF HIM AND WINNING GOLD IN FRONT OF HIM. I CAN TAKE THAT WITH ME THE REST OF MY LIFE. >> Reporter: IT WAS A STRONG SHOWING IN THE POOL FOR THE WOMEN OF TEAM USA, TOO. PICKING UP SILVER IN THE SAME EVENT. >> I THINK EVERYONE’S HAPPY WITH HOW WE SWAM. >> Reporter: AND KATIE LEDECKY WON HER FIRST MEDAL OF THESE OLYMPICS, A BRAZIL IN THE 400-METER FREESTYLE. BESTED BY HER AUSTRALIAN RIVAL. >> A LITTLE DISAPPOINTED THAT I DIDN’T BRING MY BEST TODAY, BUT A MEDAL’S A MEDAL. YOU CAN’T BE DISAPPOINTED WITH THAT. >> Reporter: UNFORTUNATELY THE SWIMMERS WEREN’T THE ONLY ONES YOU GETTING WET IN PARIS. DOWNPOURS DRENCHED BEACH VOLLEYBALL. ATHLETES AND SPECTATORS ALIKE. SKATEBOARDING WAS POSTPONED, BUT THE WOMEN’S CYCLING TIME TRIAL WAS NOT. THERE WERE A LOT OF CRASHES. >> GRACIOUS. >> Reporter: AMAZINGLY THE U.S. CYCLIST WENT DOWN, GOT BACK ON HER BIKE AND STILL WON BRONZE. >> SHE’S GOING TO GET THE BRONZE MEDAL. >> I DID EVERYTHING I COULD TO GET TO THE FINISH LINE TODAY. AND I’M GRATEFUL. AND I’M GRATEFUL. GOD’S PLAN, AND -- THANKFUL THAT I’M HERE. >> Reporter: THE HEAVY RAINFALL COULD ALSO CAUSE SEWAGE TO OVERFLOW INTO THE SEINE, AFFECTING WATER QUALITY. ORGANIZERS SAY SUNDAY’S PRACTICE SESSION FOR TRIATHLETES AND DISTANCE SWIMMERS MAY BE CANCELED. WITH TUESDAY’S COMPETITION IN JEOPARDY. >> HOPEFULLY WE GET TO SWIM, BIKE, AND RUN, BECAUSE I DON’T SWIM THIS MUCH TO JUST RUN AND BIKE. >> Reporter: HALFWAY AROUND THE WORLD, THE WATER AND MOTHER NATURE WERE FAR MORE COOPERATIVE. SURFING GOT UNDER WAY IN TAHITI. 12 TIME ZONES AND 10,000 MILES FROM PARIS. BRIGHT BLUE SKIES AND PERFECT WAVES. THE MEDAL COUNT ALREADY OFF TO A GOOD START FOR TEAM USA. CASSIDY COOK AND SARAH BACON NABBED THE FIRST OF THE GAMES. WINNING SIMPLER IN SYNCHRONIZED DIVING. >> TO BE THE FIRST MEDAL FOR TEAM USA AND THE FIRST MEDAL CEREMONY OF THE OLYMPIC GAMES IS AMAZING. IT FEELS INSANE. >> AT 70 WE SAW OUR HER GYMNASTICS ACTION. >> Reporter: THE MEN QUALIFIED IN FIFTH PLACE IN THE TEAM COMPETITION FOR THE FINAL. THEY HAVEN’T WON A MEDAL SINCE 2008, AND THE WOMEN, THEY START TOMORROW. THEY HAVE THEIR OWN QUALIFIERS. >> LOT OF EXCITEMENT SO EARLY IN THESE GAMES. STEPHANIE, THANK YOU SO MUCH. >>> WANT TO TURN TO OUR OTHER BIG STORY. SEVERAL MASSIVE WILDFIRES SWEEPING ACROSS THE WEST TONIGHT. THOUSANDS EVACUATED, HOMES DESTROYED, AND THE BIGGEST ONE IN CALIFORNIA, IT IS NOWHERE NEAR CONTAINED. STEVE PATTERSON IS ON THE FRONT LINES IN CALIFORNIA. >> Reporter: TONIGHT, CALIFORNIA’S LARGEST FIRE SO FAR THIS YEAR. THE PARK FIRE EXPLODING IN SIZE IN JUST FOUR DAYS. THE FLAMES’ MARCH SPREADING RAPIDLY TO MORE THAN 300,000 ACRES, NOW SPRAWLING OVER MULTIPLE COUNTIES. A TOWERING, SWIRLING FIRE-NADO SEEN CROSSING THIS ROAD. THIS HOME AMONG MORE THAN 130 STRUCTURES SO FAR DESTROYED. AT LEAST 4,000 MORE ARE THREATENED. AUTHORITIES BELIEVE THE BLAZE WAS SPARKED BY 42-YEAR-OLD RONNY DEAN STOUT II, SPOTTED PUSHING A BURNING CAR INTO A RAVINE. NOW ARRESTED ON SUSPICION OF ARSON. OVERNIGHT NEW EVACUATIONS IN MULTIPLE COMMUNITIES. >> THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS LIKE YOU GUYS HAVE TO GET OUT NOW. IT’S COMING UP, AND IT’S COMING FAST. >> Reporter: INCLUDING THE ENTIRE TOWN OF PARADISE. STILL REELING FROM THE TRAUMA LEFT BY THE CAMP FIRE, THE DEADLIEST AND MOST DESTRUCTIVE WILDFIRE IN CALIFORNIA HISTORY, KILLING 85 PEOPLE, DECIMATING THE AREA. >> DEFINITELY IS A LOT OF PTSD IN THIS COUNTY. >> Reporter: YOU CAN SEE THE DESTRUCTION IN ITS WAKE. HOMES IN THIS AREA GUTTED. AND AT ITS FASTEST OFFICIALS SAY IT WAS MOVING AT ABOUT 5,000 ACRES PER HOUR. RIGHT NOW THE WEST IS BESIEGED BY FIRE WITH MORE THAN 110 ACTIVE FIRES COVERING NEARLY 3,000 SQUARE MILES. IN IDAHO, HARROWING VIDEO SHOWS RESIDENTS ESCAPING THROUGH A TUNNEL OF FLAMES. IN EASTERN OREGON, THE PILOT OF AN AIR TANKER WAS FOUND DEAD, BATTLING ONE OF SEVERAL FIRES CONSUMING THE STATE. >> I’VE LIVED HERE ALL MY LIFE AND NEVER -- NEVER SEEN IT THIS WAY, NEVER. >> Reporter: IN ALBERTA, CANADA, OFFICIALS ESTIMATE HALF THE HISTORIC TOWN OF JASPER WAS DESTROYED, WITH THOUSANDS FORCED TO EVACUATE. AS YOU WALK THROUGH THE WRECKAGE HERE, SOMETHING YOU IMMEDIATELY NOTICE IS THE SMELL, IS THE SMOKE. OFFICIALS SAY POOR AIR QUALITY ALERTS FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK ACROSS THE WEST. LESTER? >> ALL RIGHT. STEVE PATTERSON, THANK YOU. >>> OVERSEAS NOW TO WHAT COULD BE A MAJOR ESCALATION IN THE MIDDLE EAST. AT LEAST A DOZEN YOUNG PEOPLE KILLED IN WHAT IS THE DEADLIEST ATTACK ON ISRAELI TERRITORY SINCE OCTOBER 7th. THAT ATTACK ISRAELI MILITARY SAYS LAUNCHED BY HEZBOLLAH FROM INSIDE LEBANON. ISRAEL IS NOW VOWING TO RESPOND. THIS COULD ALL 3D ANOTHER FRONT IN THE WAR THERE. WE HAVE LATE DETAILS FROM TEL AVIV. >> Reporter: TONIGHT ISRAEL SAYS AT LEAST A DOZEN CHILDREN AND TEENAGERS WERE KILLED AFTER A ROCKET HIT A SOCCER FIELD WHERE THEY WERE PLAYING. THE ISRAELI MILITARY SAYS IT’S THE DEADLIEST ATTACK ON ITS CIVILIANS SINCE OCTOBER 7th, AND IT’S BLAMING HEZBOLLAH, THE POWERFUL IRANIAN-BACKED MILITANT GROUP IN SOUTHERN LEBANON. HEZBOLLAH TONIGHT DENYING RESPONSIBILITY, BUT ISRAEL VOWING TO STRIKE BACK. >> THIS ATTACK SHOWS THE TRUE FACE OF HEZBOLLAH. >> Reporter: THE ROCKET HITTING THE GOLAN HEIGHTS, DISPUTED TERRITORY ISRAEL CAPTURED FROM SYRIA IN 1967. MOST OF THE VICTIMS FROM THE RELIGIOUS MINORITY. ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU NOW RUSHING BACK FROM WASHINGTON. HEZBOLLAH HAS FIRED THOUSANDS OF ROCKETS AT ISRAEL. >> WE’RE SEEING MORE INTERCEPTIONS NOW OVER THE SKIES OF NORTHERN ISRAEL. A FRESH BARRAGE OF HEZBOLLAH ROCKETS COMES IN. [ SIRENS ] MORE THAN 100 MILES FROM GAZA ISRAEL HAS POUNDED SOUTHERN LEBANON RAISING FEARS OF WAR ON A SECOND FRONT. IN CENTRAL GAZA TODAY, HOSPITAL AUTHORITIES SAY AT LEAST 36 PEOPLE WERE KILLED INCLUDING 15 CHILDREN BY AN ISRAELI AIR STRIKE ON A SCHOOL. THIS LITTLE BOY TELLS OUR TEAM "GLASS AND STONES FELL ON US. THERE WAS DUST EVERYWHERE." THE IDF SAYS IT WAS TARGETING A HAMAS COMMAND CENTER INSIDE THE SCHOOL. THE LATEST YOUNG LIVES CUT SHORT IN THIS UNFORGIVING WAR. >> RAF JOINS US FROM TEL AVIV. WE UNDERSTAND THE CIA DIRECTOR IS HEADING TO EUROPE FOR HOSTAGE TALKS. >> Reporter: THAT’S RIGHT. HE’LL BE IN ROME TOMORROW FOR WHAT A SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL SAYS ARE HOPEFULLY THE CLOSING STAGES OF CEASE-FIRE NEGOTIATIONS. BUT THOSE TALKS COULD GET A LOT MORE COMPLICATED IF THERE’S MAJOR ESCALATION BETWEEN ISRAEL AND HEZBOLLAH. LESTER? >> ALL RIGHT, RAF SANCHEZ, THANK YOU. >>> WE TURN TO POLITICS AND THE DRAMATIC SHAKEUP IN THE RACE FOR PRESIDENT. WE’RE GETTING OUR FIRST LOOK AT BATTLEGROUND POLLING SINCE PRESIDENT BIDEN DROPPED OUT, AND THE RACE COULD NOT BE CLOSER. AARON GILCHRIST IS ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL WITH FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP. >> Reporter: AS THE NEW RACE FOR THE WHITE HOUSE HEATS UP BETWEEN FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP AND VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS A NEW GROUP OF BATTLEGROUND STATE POLLS SHOWING HOW TIGHT THE RACE IS. TRUMP AND HARRIS TIED IN MICHIGAN AND PENNSYLVANIA. TRUMP INSIDE THE MARGIN OF ERROR WITH A ONE-POINT LEAD IN WISCONSIN AND HARRIS LEADING TRUMP IN MINNESOTA BY SIX POINTS, OUTSIDE THE MARGIN OF ERROR. THE VICE PRESIDENT IMPROVING ON PRESIDENT BIDEN’S BATTLEGROUND STANDINGS BEFORE HE LEFT THE RACE. >> HELLO -- >> Reporter: THE FORMER PRESIDENT STUMPING FOR SUPPORT IN NASHVILLE TODAY AT A BITCOIN CONFERENCE. >> LAYING OUT MY PLAN TO ENSURE THAT THE UNITED STATES WILL BE THE CRYPTO CAPITAL OF THE PLANET. >> Reporter: TALKING UP CRYPTOCURRENCY BUT ALSO BLASTING HIS COMPETITOR FOR THE WHITE HOUSE. >> SHE’S A RADICAL LEFT LUNATIC. >> Reporter: THAT AFTER A FRIDAY NIGHT SPEECH HITTING VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS ON THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION’S BORDER POLICY. >> MILLIONS OF PEOPLE CROSSING, AND SHE WAS THE BORDER CZAR. NOW THEY’RE TRYING TO SAY SHE NEVER WAS THE BORDER CZAR. >> Reporter: TRUMP FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS WEEKEND NOT WEARING A BANDAGE ON HIS WOUNDED EAR. THE FBI CLARIFYING THE FORMER PRESIDENT WAS HIT BY A BULLET OR FRAGMENTS FROM A BULLET TWO WEEKS AGO. THE REPUBLICAN NOMINEE ANNOUNCING ON SOCIAL MEDIA THAT HE WILL CONTINUE TO DO OUTDOOR RALLIES. VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS ALSO ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL THIS WEEKEND HEADLINING AT 800 GUEST FUNDRAISER IN MASSACHUSETTS, RAISING MORE THAN $1 MILLION ACCORDING TO A CAMPAIGN OFFICIAL. >> OURS IS A FATE FOR THE FUTURE, AND IT IS A FIGHT FOR FREEDOM. >> Reporter: HARRIS ALSO SENDING A RECORDED MESSAGE TO THE GEN-Z-LED VOTERS OF TOMORROW SUMMIT IN ATLANTA. >> WE KNOW YOUR VOTE CANNOT BE TAKE NOT FOR GRANTED. -- TAKEN FOR GRANTED. IT MUST BE EARNED, AND THAT’S EXACTLY WHAT WE WILL DO. >> Reporter: IN ST. CLOUD, MINNESOTA, PRESIDENT TRUMP AND J.D. VANCE ARE RALLYING PEOPLE IN THIS 6,000-SEAT ARENA. THIS IS A STATE THAT HASN’T BEEN REPUBLICAN FOR PRESIDENT IN 52 YEARS, AND TONIGHT THESE TWO MEN HOPE TO CHANGE THAT. LESTER? >> AARON GILCHRIST, THANK YOU. >>> WHEN WE RETURN FROM HERE IN PARIS, MY CONVERSATION WITH MICHAEL PHELPS ON THE SWIMMERS NOW GOING AFTER HIS RECORD. >>> AND SIMONE BILES RETURNS TO THE GAMES TOMORROW, BUT TONIGHT SHE OPENS UP WITH OUR HODA KOTB. >>> WE’RE BACK FROM THE PARIS >>> WE’RE BACK FROM THE PARIS OLYMPICS WHERE TEAM USA WON GOLD, SILVER, AND BRONZE IN THE POOL TODAY. AND NO ONE KNOWS WHAT IT’S LIKE TO WIN IN THE WATER BETTER THAN MICHAEL PHELPS. TODAY I TALKED TO HIM ABOUT WHO HE’S WATCHING AS THE GAMES BEGIN. BEFORE WE TALK ABOUT THE INDIVIDUAL RACES HERE, WHAT’S IT LIKE FOR YOU TO COME BACK? >> I THINK LAST NIGHT DURING OPENING CEREMONIES, YOU KNOW, JUST BEING A PART OF OPENING CEREMONIES FOR ME, I HAD HAIR STICKING STRAIGHT OCCUPYUP ON MY I HAD THE EMOTIONS AND FEELINGS OF BEING BACK AT AN OLYMPIC GAMES. >> LET’S TALK ABOUT SOME OF YOUR FORMER TEAMMATES COMPETING. WHO ARE YOU WATCHING? >> OBVIOUSLY KATIE LEDECKY IS -- SHE’S LIKE MY LITTLE SISTER. I’VE KNOWN HER FOREVER. AND YOU KNOW, GO BACK TO THAT OLD PHOTO OF HER AND I WHEN SHE WAS A LITTLE 10-YEAR-OLD OR HOWEVER OLD SHE WAS. YOU KNOW, SHE IS REALLY -- SHE’S MADE A NAME FOR HERSELF AND BECOME A DOMINANT NAME IN THE SPORT. >> LAST TIME WE TALKED WE WERE TAKING ABOUT MEDALS, THE MENTAL APPROACH. AS YOU WATCH THESE ATHLETES NOW, HOW ARE THEY -- HOW DO THEY SEEM TO YOU? >> FOR ME A LOT OF THEM HAVE TAKEN THAT PART OF IT IN CONTROL FOR THEMSELVES. I THINK WE’VE HAD A LOT OF ADDITIONS TO THE MENTAL HEALTH SPACE FROM THE U.S. OC. JUST FROM TAKINGLKING TO THE SWIMMERS IT’S COOL AND POWERFUL THEY’RE TAKING THAT ON THEMSELVES AND TAKING CARE OF THE MENTAL AND THE PHYSICAL. >> ONE OF THE THINGS IS THE RIVALRY BETWEEN USA AND AUSTRALIA. WHAT’S THAT ALL ABOUT? >> WHEN WE ARE IN THE POOL, YES, OF COURSE. WE’RE COMPETITORS, RIGHT? WE WANT NOTHING MORE THAN TO BEAT THE PERSON NEXT TO US, WHOEVER IT MIGHT BE. BUT WHEN WE’RE OUT OF THE POOL, WE’RE FRIENDS. SAYING THAT, I HOPE TEAM USA RINGS THOSE COW BELLS AS LOUD AS THEY CAN POSSIBLY RING THEM ALL MEET LONG. >> WHO SHOULD WE BE WATCHING FOR THE FUTURE? >> I THINK KATE DOUGLAS HAS A GREAT CHANCE IN THE TWO BREAST. JACK ALEXEI, HUNTER ARMSTRONG, HUNTER BECK, IT’S ANYONE’S BALL GAME. I THINK THAT’S THE GREATEST THING ABOUT THIS SPORT I THINK NOW IS YOU REALLY SEE THE YOUNGER GENERATION THAT’S STEPPING UP AND DOESN’T -- IT DOESN’T MATTER IF THEY’RE RACING KATIE LEDECKY OR CALEB DRESSEL. THEY THINK THEY CAN BEAT THEM. THAT’S THE ATTITUDE AND MENTALITY WE NEED TO HAVE WHEN WE’RE GOING UP AND RACING THE BEST IN THE WORLD. >> PART OF MY CONVERSATION WITH MICHAEL PHELPS HERE IN PARIS. WE’LL HAVE MUCH MORE FROM THE PARIS OLYMPICS IN A MOMENT INCLUDING THE EPIC COMEBACK FOR SUPERSTAR SIMONE BILES. WHAT SHE TOLD HODA KOTB ABOUT HOW SHE PLANS TO WIN GOLD. >>> WE ARE JUST HOURS >>> WE ARE JUST HOURS AWAY FROM PERHAPS >>> WE ARE JUST HOURS AWAY FROM PERHAPS THE GREATEST OLYMPIC COMEBACK STORY EVER. SIMONE BILES RETURNS TO THE GAMES TOMORROW AFTER PULLING HERSELF OUT OF THE COMPETITION THREE YEARS AGO. SHE SAT DOWN WITH OUR HODA KOTB. >> THERE’S SOMETHING DIFFERENT ABOUT SIMONE BILES NOW. NOT THE GYMNASTICS. >> SHE SHOULD NOT BE ABLE TO DO THAT AS A HUMAN BEING. >> HER VAULT AS JAW-DROPPINGLY HIGH -- >> ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE! >> HER FLOOR ROUTINE AS ELECTRIC AS EVER. >> LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THAT’S HOW IT’S DONE. >> THE SHIFT IS IN HER MINDSET. >> THERE’S THIS JOY THAT I HAVEN’T SEEN IN A LONG TIME. >> AT 27 SHE IS MORE CONFIDENT, MORE CENTERED, MORE HERSELF. >> I FEEL LIKE THE NEW ME, I’M A LITTLE BIT OLDER, MORE MATURE. JUST BEING UNAPOLOGETICALLY ME. >> SHE HAS, AS THEY SAY, DONE THE WORK. THERAPY EVERY THURSDAY HAS BECOME AS CRITICAL AS HER REPS IN THE GYMS. >> BEFORE I WAS KIND OF LIKE PUSHING DOWN MY TRAUMA, AND NOW I’VE LEARNED TO SPEAK ON IT AND KIND OF RELEASE THAT SO THAT’S REALLY HELPED ME. THAT’S WHY I’M DOING WHAT I’M DOING TODAY. >> DO YOU FEEL STRONGER NOW THAN YOU HAVE BEFORE? >> I THINK SO. I THINK WE USED TO THINK OF THERAPY AS A WEAKNESS. NOW I THINK OF IT AS A STRENGTH. IF THERE’S SOMEBODY THAT CAN HELP ME DEAL WITH WHAT I’M GOING THROUGH, THEN THAT’S WHAT I NEED TO DO. >> IT IS THE WOMEN’S TEAM FINAL FROM TOKYO. >> YOU MAY HAVE BEEN WATCHING THAT NIGHT IN JULY, 2021. TENS OF MILLIONS WERE AS SIMONE SPRINTED TOWARD THE VAULT AND THEN GOT LOST IN THE AIR. >> WOW. AND THAT WAS NOT WHAT WAS PLANNED. >> A DREADED AND SCARY PHENOMENON GYMNASTS CALL THE TWISTIES. >> NEVER IN MY LIFE HAVE I SEEN HER DO THAT, NEVER. >> WORRIED ABOUT SAFETY, SHE PULLED OUT OF THE COMPETITION. >> I’M SORRY. I LOVE YOU GUYS. >> WATCHING FROM THE SIDELINES AS HER SHOCKED TEAMMATES MANAGED TO PULL IT TOGETHER AND WIN SILVER. BUT IT WAS NOT THE TRIUMPHANT OLYMPICS ANY OF THEM HAD DREAMED OF. >> I’M GOING HOME IN ONE PIECE WHICH I WAS A LITTLE BIT NERVOUS ABOUT. SO I’M NOT MAD. >> BACK AT HOME, SIMONE FOCUSED ON HER MENTAL HEALTH. SHE ALSO GOT MARRIED, BECAME AN AUNT, AND THEN SLOWLY STARTED TO THINK ABOUT A COMEBACK. HOW LONG DID YOU HAVE TO MULL IT OVER? >> IT TOOK A WHILE BECAUSE I WAS WATCHING GYMNASTICS ON TV, BUT THEN, YOU KNOW, EVERY TIME SOMEBODY TWISTED I WAS LIKE, MY GOSH. ONE DAY I WOKE UP LIKE, OKAY, LET’S TRY THIS AGAIN. >> THOSE SIGNATURE SKILLS CAME RIGHT BACK. >> SIMONE BILES! [ CHEERS ] >> VAULTING SIMONE TO HER THIRD OLYMPICS AND A CHANCE AT WHAT SHE SAYS IS REDEMPTION. HOW DO YOU WANT TO BE REMEMBERED? >> AS LONG AS I WAS HAVING FUN AND DOING WHAT I LOVE, THAT’S ALL THAT YOU CAN DO BECAUSE I DON’T WANT TO LOOK BACK 50 YEARS NOW FROM NOW SAYING SHE WAS GOOD, BUT SHE WAS SO MISERABLE. A COUPLE TIMES I MIGHT HAVE FELT THAT. NOW I’M LIKE, LOOK AT HER GO. SHE’S LOVING WHAT SHE’S DOING WITH WHO SHE’S DOING IT WITH. SO REALLY JUST EMBRACING THAT MOMENT. >> EVERY TIME SIMONE LOOKS IN THE MIRROR, SHE SEES THIS TATTOO -- A MAYA ANGELOU QUOTE ON HER COLLAR BONE, "AND STILL I RISE," AND SO SHE DOES. HODA KOTB, NBC NEWS. >>> WHEN WE COME BACK, OLYMPIC FAMILIES FINALLY BACK IN THE STANDS. HOW IT IS ENERGIZING THESE ATHLETES. >>> FINALLY TONIGHT, THERE IS >>> FINALLY TONIGHT, THERE IS NEW ENERGY HERE AT THESE OLYMPICS. THE COVID ERA RESTRICTIONS OF THE LAST TWO GAMES ARE NOW GONE, AND THE BIGGEST CHANGE FOR THE ATHLETES, THEIR LOVED ONES ARE ALLOWED BACK. >> Reporter: IN PARIS THE STREETS ARE PACKED AND SO ARE THE STANDS. [ CHEERS ] THIS OLYMPICS ALREADY LOOKS AND SOUNDS DRASTICALLY DIFFERENT FROM THE LAST ONE WHEN ATHLETES COMPETED IN EERILY QUIET VENUES IN TOKYO BECAUSE OF COVID. COACHES STEPPED IN AS CHEERLEADERS. >> HE IS GOING CRAZY! >> Reporter: WHILE FRIENDS AND FAMILY CELEBRATED THOUSANDS OF MILES AWAY. [ CHEERS ] RELISHING IN VICTORIES OVER EMOTIONAL VIDEO CALLS. >> I LOVE YOU SO MUCH. I’M SO PROUD OF YOU. >> Reporter: IN 2021, AMY AND MIKE WATCHED FROM HOME AS THEIR DAUGHTER JESSICA WON A SILVER IN SYNCHRONIZED DIVING. >> WE WERE SITTING ON THE COUCH WATCHING IT AT 3:00 IN THE MORNING. AND I DON’T REMEMBER MUCH ABOUT -- OTHER THAN BEING AMAZINGLY OVERWHELMINGLY EMOTIONAL THAT THAT HAPPENED. >> Reporter: THIS WAS THE MOMENT THEY HELD HER MEDAL FOR THE FIRST TIME WHEN SHE BROUGHT IT TO MINNESOTA. >> THAT’S A LOT OF WORK. >> PRETTY AMAZING. >> TO ME IT’S LIKE THEIR MEDAL, AS WELL. SO IT’S JUST EVERY SINGLE PERSON, ESPECIALLY MY FAMILY WHO HAVE BEEN THERE WITH ME FROM THE VERY BEGINNING, THAT I ATTRIBUTE THAT SUCCESS TO THEM. >> WE SEE HER AS OUR DAUGHTER, YOU KNOW. PLAYING AROUND, RUNNING AROUND AS A KID, HAVING FUN. SLIPPING OFF OUR COUCH AND RUINING OUR LIVING ROOM. TO GO TO THE OLYMPICS IS INCREDIBLE. >> Reporter: NOW 30, JESSICA WILL HURDLE, PIKE, AND SOMERSAULT INTO HER THIRD OLYMPIC GAMES. >> OH, MY GOSH! >> Reporter: THIS TIME HER NUMBER-ONE FANS -- >> IN PARIS. LET’S GO. >> Reporter: -- AND SO MANY FAMILIES WILL GET TO WATCH THEIR FAVORITE ATHLETES GO FOR GOLD FROM THE STANDS. WILL IT BE EMOTIONAL FOR YOU? >> OH, IT’S ALWAYS EMOTIONAL. I JUST WANT TO SEE THEM HAVE FUN AND DO THEIR BEST. AND IF THEY GET A MEDAL, AGREE. -- GREAT. >> IF THIS IS THE END, IF THIS IS THEIR LAST GO ROUND, I DON’T WANT TO MISS ONE SECOND OF WHAT SHE’S DOING. >> Reporter: AND YOU GET TO SEE IT IN PERSON. >> YES. >> YES. >> Reporter: EMILY IKEDA, NBC NEWS. WHAT A BEAUTIFUL PLACE TO BE BACK. >>> THAT IS "NBC NIGHTLY NEWS" FOR THIS SATURDAY. TUNE IN FOR THE PRIMETIME OLYMPIC COVERAGE STARTING AT 8:00 P.M. EASTERN. I’M LESTER HOLT. I’LL SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW NIGHT FROM PARIS. PLEASE TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF AND EACH OTHER.