If there is one athlete that needs no introduction then it’s Simone Biles. With that being said, a lot has happened in the life of the gymnast who became an icon in Rio and shined the spotlight on athletes’ mental health in Tokyo. Furthermore, she nearly disappeared from the competitive gymnastics landscape until 2023. So if you’d like to know all about the GOAT, read on.
Born on March 14th, 1997, in Columbus, Ohio, Simone and Adria Biles grew up in Spring, Texas. In the wake of their mother’s dr*g abuse issues, grandparents Ronald and Nellie Biles adopted the Biles sisters. Despite the complicated family situation early in her childhood, the Olympian fell in love with gymnastics started when she was only six years old. The sport mesmerized the youngster when she visited Bannon’s Gymnastix in Houston.
Simone Biles’ unstoppable rise to the pinnacle of gymnastics
The world became aware of the Texan’s talent when he took home four golds at the 2016 Rio Olympics. However, the pride of World Champions Center had been busy writing her name in the history books for a long before she dazzled in Rio. By 2010, the elder Biles sister was beating older and more experienced gymnasts. Simone Biles won gold in floor exercise and bronze in vault at the Junior Olympic National Championships (2010) at 13. The following year she transitioned to elite level.
Although elite gymnastics proved too much for many aspiring athletes, Biles flourished. The 7x Olympic medalist gained a reputation for being a consistent young performer, with a knack for executing complex routines. In 2013, the then-rookie senior gymnast embarked on what has become a historic world championships career.
Simone Biles entered the history books at 16, becoming the first African American woman to win an all-around title at Worlds. The gymnastics prodigy’s ascent to the top gathered unstoppable momentum as she won her 3rd consecutive World Championships all-around gold in 2015. However, as Paralympian Hunter Woodhall said, “World championships can change your career, but the Olympics can change your life… It’s a different beast.”
However, the GOAT conquered that “beast” in her debut. At Rio, the then-19-year-old became the first female gymnast in U.S. Olympic history to win four golds at a single Olympics. After achieving global stardom, the worlds more decorated gymnast took a short break from competition, before returning to win five golds at the 2018 National Championships, without missing a beat.
Before appearing for her second Olympics in Tokyo, Simone Biles became the winningest gymnast in World Championships history with 25 medals. While a severe case of the “twisties” kept the world champion kept the GOAT from performing at her best, she still walked away with silver and bronze. “I wasn’t expecting to medal,” confessed Biles.
While she earned praise for highlighting the mental health battles elite athletes have to overcome to perform, the once-in-a-generation athlete also went on an indefinite hiatus. However, not many would’ve guessed it would plant the seeds for a historic comeback.
When breaking records becomes a habit
During her two-year hiatus, Simone Biles lived life on her terms. The record-breaking athlete enjoyed life, traveled, and married long-time boyfriend and NFL safety Jonathan Owens in April 2023. A month after her marriage, the 27-year-old made her much-awaited return to competition at the Core Hydration Classic. As many expected, the Olympian didn’t disappoint.
In her first meet since 2021, the Texan won the all-around, floor exercise, and balance beam events at Core Hydration. However, it was only the beginning of a historic return to form. At the national Championships, Biles became the first woman to win eight all-around national titles. Her record-breaking run continued at Worlds, where she won five medals, including four golds.
This brought Simone Biles’ World Championships medal tally to 30. Finally after claiming victory at the U.S. Olympic Trails on June 30, the 27-year-old punched her ticket to Paris, her third consecutive Olympic Games. While it’s easy to get lost in mapping the gymnastics legend’s historic career so far, there’s yet another layer to the Olympic champion.
Simone Biles is the voice of change
While the World Champions Center gymnast may be known for winning boatloads of gold medals, she has also championed better treatment for athletes. In 2021, the veteran gymnast used the Olympics to draw attention to the extreme physical and mental challenges plaguing elite athletes. She explained how unforgiving coaches, the pressure to win, and the relentless pursuit of glory cause severe trauma.
Biles’s statements cause a stir among the entire sporting world. Soon, more athletes started coming forward with their stories. Since that fateful moment, Simone Biles’ teammates including Sunisa Lee, Jordan Chiles, and many more, have opened up. Although a section of fans criticized the Olympian’s performance in Tokyo, legends like Michael Phelps amplified her voice.
Today, Simone Biles stands as the world’s most decorated gymnast, a voice for fair treatment, and a loving wife who’s there for her family. Yet, her story is not over as the gymnastics legend looks to add to her legacy in Paris.
