Sports fans have a habit of saying that their favorite athlete was born to excel in their respective sport. The cabinets full of trophies that elite athletes collect throughout their careers make a good case in favor of that argument. However, no other gymnast deserves that title more than Simone Biles, because the gymnast is literally built to excel in her sport.

There’s a good reason why most gymnasts are on the shorter side, and standing at 4’8″ (142cm) the 7x Olympic medalist’s height, is ideal for gymnastics. While being shorter in track and field may hurt your stride, Biles’ height hasn’t limited her success. In fact, the 27-year-old is shorter than even the average elite gymnast.

Simone Biles’ 4’8″ stature falls just below the average female Olympian’s 4’9″ to 5’4″ (145 cm to 163 cm) stature. However, when it comes to weight, the world’s most decorated gymnast falls well within the average range. The average Olympic gymnast weighs between 88 lbs and 115 lbs (40 kg to 52 kg), and the world champion weighs 103.61 lbs (47 kg).

While a gymnast doesn’t need to cut weight like a pro boxer, maintaining a consistent weight is essential for gymnasts. Any drastic deviation in weight can affect everything from strength to agility. Although the 5x Olympic gold medalist’s weight has increased with age, so has her muscle mass, which has helped the gymnastics icon maintain her explosive strength.

Finally, age truly seems to be nothing more than a number for Simone Biles. The average elite Olympian performance peaks between their late teens and early twenties. The G.O.A.T. herself won four Olympic golds in Rio when she was 19. However, head coach Laurent Landi’s star athlete has made a roaring comeback at 27.

Last year in Antwerp, Biles won four golds at the World Championships against some of her biggest rivals. The legend repeated that feat at the 2024 Olympic Trials, taking the top spot against much younger gymnasts. While age should be a disadvantage, it’s barely made a difference. So how do all these factors come together to make Simone Biles so special?

Simone Biles: Born to dominate gymnastics?

Despite being shorter than the average elite gymnast, the 27-year-old has an advantage over them. The Ohio native carries an anatomical advantage every time she decides to launch herself into a vault, twirls on the floor, or lands on her toes during the balance beam. Her short stature lends to a lower center of gravity, which aids with both balance and agility.

One of the reasons the Yurchenko double pike was colloquially renamed Biles II is because her height helped the Olympian execute it like no other. All the World Champions Center gymnasts need to do to capitalize on their height advantage is maintain their ideal weight during competitions. Throughout her long and ongoing career, Simone Biles has never faced weight-gaining issues.

Talking about the 27-year-old’s long career brings us to the third advantage: experience. After qualifying for Paris 2024, the 30-time World Championships medalist became the oldest female U.S. gymnast to make an Olympic team in the last 72 years. While getting older in any sport doesn’t give you any advantages, Simone Biles finds herself in a unique place. The gymnast has more experience than the rest of the Paris-bound US Women’s Gymnastics team. However, while having years in the sport does give her a competitive edge, her long hiatus after the Tokyo Olympics may have been a blessing in disguise.

Today, Simone Biles is not only mentally at her strongest, but not grinding down her body through grueling training for a few years has rejuvenated the icon’s capacity to perform. Now, when you see Simone Biles perform in Paris, you’ll see how the gymnast’s anatomy and age have helped her defy expectations.

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.

30x World Championships medal-winning gymnast Simone Biles doesn’t have a daughter. If you ask this question to a die-hard fan of the 4x Olympic gold medalist, you may be met with puzzled silence. However, the questions and rumors surrounding the 27-year-old gymnastics icon’s motherhood are far more common than you’d guess.

If you’re wondering why people might think Biles has a daughter if she never gave birth. However, the reason many have raised this question is because of Baby Biles’s frequent appearances on the gymnast’s social media. Simone Biles’ has made several posts cradling Little Ronni Louise Biles in her arms since November 2022.

However, the baby girl is not her daughter, but her niece. Born on November 25, 2022, Baby Biles is the daughter of the champion gymnast’s older brother Ron and sister-in-law Sammi Biles. Yet, that doesn’t mean the 7x Olympic medalist’s niece wasn’t the star of the Biles family as soon as she came into the world. The 9x NCAA all-around champion adores Baby Biles.

Ronni Biles’s birth was a significant moment for the entire Biles family. It marked the end of a long and difficult struggle for Roni and his wife Samantha Biles, who struggled with pregnancy loss. After their marriage, Simone Biles’ brother- and sister-in-law fought a long and emotionally taxing battle with infertility and in vitro fertilization (IVF).

“I’m still in shock to be completely transparent. It’s taken me some time to process as every day is a miracle + huge milestone for us.” Ron Biles wrote while announcing the pregnancy. Hence it’s easy to see why Baby Biles finds her way into her aunt’s arms every time they meet. However, just because the veteran Olympian hasn’t had a baby yet, doesn’t mean she won’t have children.

Simone Biles isn’t focusing on parenthood just yet

The world’s most decorated gymnast faced questions about her plans to become a mother as soon as announced her marriage plans. The 2023 all-around world champion answered an eager fan on Instagram, that she wanted two kids. Biles’ athlete husband, Chicago Bears safety Jonathan Owens also wanted children.

Simone Biles revealed that her husband hopes they’ll become proud parents of three children. However, the Paris-bound Olympian was quite frustrated with unfounded rumors in December last year. When Jonathan Owen’s supportive wife went to one of his NFL games, some commentators speculated if the gymnast was pregnant. An agitated Biles later shut down those rumors.

The gymnastics legend and her husband want to become parents. However, the couple is currently focused on furthering their respective careers. Will Simone Biles and Jonathan Owens consider having children after the 2024 Olympics? Only time will tell.

One decision and Simone Biles could have possibly charted an entirely different trajectory in gymnastics! Yes, you read that right. At a certain juncture, the Spring native was torn between continuing her collegiate path or catering to her professional gymnastic wants. In hindsight, it might now seem that everything fell into place for the 3x Olympian. But, her educational journey certainly differed from the usual.

Are we saying that Biles made tough calls to be the G.O.A.T. today? Well, she certainly did. And it started right from the days of her early education, going up until college. But, when multiple opportunities knocked at her door, she did not falter from choosing the right one. Even though it meant missing out on something, to gain another.

Dropping out from UCLA, Simone Biles opted for an online college

Picture this: 2014, Simone Biles signs a letter of intent to attend the University of California Los Angeles, November onwards. But with the 2016 Rio Olympics in view, she lands on the horns of a dilemma. Whether to tread the path of collegiate gymnastics or straightaway aim for the moon, a full-time professional status? But Biles decided it’s either go big or go home for her, thereby turning pro in 2015 itself, relinquishing her NCAA eligibility, and bidding farewell to UCLA. She said, “While I am grateful for the opportunity to compete collegiately, I feel that the chance to make my dream come true is right in front of me.” And years later, in a social media collab, it flashed right before her eyes.

However, Simone Biles was also deeply inspired by her family’s business background. She recalls that her mother and her brothers excelled in this domain, something that inspires her to walk in their footsteps. So, she opted for a more flexible educational route, which provided her with the leeway to juggle multiple things. Thus, enrolling at the University of the People, she pursued an online business administration college program. Did that help? Indeed, it did, as she reminisces saying, “University of the People opened up an opportunity for me that didn’t otherwise exist, accommodating the flexibility I need to fit in my college studies around my career.”

Now something that she was personally drawing so much benefit from, needed to be endorsed to the world. Thus, as UoPeople’s Global Ambassador, the 7x Olympic medalist promoted the no-tuition mode of learning to others. She cited that without distance, financial, or any other barriers, people could freely educate themselves here. Even women who often get told that they do not belong in the classroom could break free from the obstructions.

While this was a career-altering call for her, Biles had taken baby steps since her childhood, inclining more toward her priority, gymnastics. Did you know, that not just UCLA, Biles even dropped out of the traditional classroom learning setup as a middle schooler? Let’s dive right into the details.

Biles’ early education and transition to homeschooling

The Paris Olympics-bound gymnast commenced her educational journey at the Benfer Elementary School in Harris County. Like most students generally do, she balanced her academia while honing her skills on the mat. Until the stage, when she gravitated more toward her sporting endeavors and decided to allocate more training hours to refine her proficiency. Thus, in middle school, Simone Biles made an adaption to home-schooling, one that was perhaps not easy, but essential.

Many years later, in 2021, speaking to the Wall Street Journal, Biles opened up on how that experience was for her. She remarked, “In that aspect, going to public school, hanging out with friends, going to school dances. I was homeschooled. I really didn’t get to do any of that. But I also feel like at the end of the day I got to travel and represent the country so I really don’t think I’ve missed out on too much.” She certainly may have missed out on the mainstream activities done in a school, and with her peers, but the pride to have graced global stages and brought laurels to her country is more than just compensation.

Moreover, in the end, gratitude is all Simone Biles feels. What do you think of the all-time great’s aww-inspiring journey? Let us know below.

“I’m THAT girl“: Taking inspiration from Beyoncé’s seventh studio album, Renaissance, Jordan Chiles is looking to prove this statement at the upcoming Paris Olympics. She made it to the Final Five after putting on an incredible show at the Target Center during the U.S. Gymnastics Olympic Trials last month. But as she makes her way to the French capital, the 2020 Olympic silver medalist has taken on a surprising new role on the team.

Jordan Chiles has always admired track icon Florence Griffith Joyner, who sported long acrylic nails, fashion-forward leotards, and her signature blown-out hair. The fastest woman ever was miles ahead of her time, and the elite gymnast realized that she could take that legacy forward. After embarking on her own personal style journey, Chiles is now ready to turn heads in more ways than one. But how will she showcase this in the French capital?

Jordan Chiles helps the Final Five look flawless

The 2023 Pan American Games vault silver medalist has already enthralled fans with her stellar performances on the mat. But her best friend and queen of gymnastics, Simone Biles, confesses that there’s more to Chiles than that. “She’s the [hair] braider on the team.” Jordan Chiles has taken on the new role of Team USA’s hairstylist. “We can all go to her for braids.” If you come to find everyone looking snatched on the mat, you know who to thank for that!

But this new role shouldn’t come across as a surprise to many. Jordan Chiles has always shown up looking mesmerizing, both off and on the mat. However, this wasn’t an easy transition for the gymnast. In conversation with Harper’s Bazaar, the 2018 U.S. vault silver medalist opened up about how she eventually found her style. “I had to be able to figure out how to embrace myself and my beauty.” Growing up, she often stood out from her peers and struggled to fit in. But as she started competing, things changed.

She eventually found inspiration by looking at how Flo Jo carried herself off the track. “I thought: ‘Okay, if she was able to do that on track, why can’t we do that in other sports? Why can’t I do that with gymnastics?” She stated that even though there’s a certain way you’re supposed to look in gymnastics, she wanted to bring her own style to the sport. “If I can do really cool and unique fashion looks with my leotards, why can’t I also do that with my makeup or my hair?” So that’s just what she did!

At the 2024 U.S. Gymnastics Championships, the gymnast stepped onto the mat, looking every bit like an icon. Chiles is a part of the BeyHive and wanted to replicate an outfit Beyoncé wore during her Renaissance world tour. Collaborating with GK Elite, the 2021 Winter Cup balance beam silver medalist stepped out in a bedazzled leotard. Featuring an alluring checkered pattern of orange, green, and pink, it also had bright red and pink stripes going across the front. Chiles also incorporated the necklace and chain worn by Queen B, with a few jewels on the neckline. Oh, by the way, did you know that Chiles has a personal token of appreciation shared by her icon?

She has two icons in her corner leading up to Paris

After making it through to the Paris Olympics, Chiles celebrated with a few pictures on Instagram. She captioned the post, “album: a girl who made her second Olympics 🙏🏽🥹💐” But her Olympic experience was about to get so much better. On July 17, the gymnast shared a picture of Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter album art and a sweet little note from the queen herself: “Congrats to you Queen. Always watch you with pride and admiration,” a heartwarming message that left Chiles spellbound. But this wasn’t even half of it.

The Lemonade singer had so much more to say! “Thank you for repping us. Good luck to you! All your hard work and sacrifices shine bright.” Beyoncé stated that she would be praying for her and ended the note with something that had Chiles screaming and crying. “Love, your twin, Beyoncé,” referring to when the gymnast sported her iconic leotard back in May. However, this wasn’t the only legend backing Chiles up.

The greatest all-around player in the history of basketball also wished her well before she made the trip to Paris. Her namesake started off by saying, “Hey Jordan, this is Michael Jordan. I am so excited to watch you win a gold medal.” In a video posted by NBA on June 4, Chiles talks about how basketball has always been a part of her life. “Here’s to wishing you nothing but good luck. Let’s catch up afterwards. Hope to see you soon.” He signed off by simply stating, “Btw love the name😆” Chiles stated how her mom was a huge fan of his, and seeing how she was inspired by him, she decided to give her daughter the legend’s name.

In 5 days, the opening ceremony will commence in the French capital. Jordan Chiles and the Final Five are looking to turn heads at the Bercy Arena. So be prepared for some amazing performances and stunning looks from the gymnasts. Chiles might have missed out on an individual medal at the 2020 Summer Games, but will she walk away with an Olympic gold to her name this time around? We will soon find out. Stay tuned for an epic show!

Simone Biles is surely ‘Rising’. The champion athlete had her docuseries, ‘Simone Biles: Rising’ released recently on Netflix. And in just one day, the ratings have skyrocketed. According to the list by fixpatrol, within 24 hours of release, the docuseries is trending as the number 1 show in the Netflix Top 10 TV shows category. Such a development speaks volumes about Biles’ hype around the US. The documentary has dethroned popular TV shows like Homicide and Vikings: Valhalla. Both the shows reigned at the top for 17 and 47 days, respectively.

The docuseries predominantly focuses on Simone Biles’ traumatic experience at the Tokyo Olympics. This can be attributed as one of the biggest factors for the impressive success of the series. Almost the entire US sports fanatics wanted to have a detailed peek into what went through the champion’s mind. And providing the exact information just at the time of the Paris Olympics worked like magic for Katie Walsh & co.

While Biles did speak about her complications on several occasions, the documentary shows an unfiltered and much more closeup perspective as to what actually went through Biles’ mind. The US Gymnastics queen stated that it was well before the Olympics that she could sense something was wrong. And when she could not land her initial trial vault, the alarm bells in her mind went off. After she could not land a two-and-a-half, the shocked expression of Suni Lee mirrored the emotion every gymnastics fan went through. But being the champion she is, Simone Biles knew just what she needed to do.

Simone Biles not a ‘quitter’: Proved

Simone Biles was given the unwanted title of being the ‘Quitter of the Year’. Following the tragedy in Tokyo, Biles mentioned that she felt like quitting for ‘500,000’ times. Her coach, Laurent Landi, too, seemed doubtful as he stated that the ‘twisties’ were something that was not connected to gymnastics. But Biles slowly realized that she did not want to lament over the fact at 40 that she never tried when she had the time. Thus, Simone Biles was back in the gym.

In the documentary, Biles explained how she was scared to leap in the air. She also felt uncomfortable inside the gym, as Biles knew that she was the center of attraction after her Tokyo debacle. However, her fellow gymnasts helped her a lot during that phase. Constantly motivating Biles, they played a huge role in instilling self-belief into the Olympic gold medalist. Biles slowly started to come to her groove and cut to December 2023, when she was at the Worlds. With the whole world watching, Simone Biles did what nobody expected her to do. Biles landed the Biles II- a Yurchenko double pike, to pinpoint precision. Claiming the gold medal, Simone Biles announced her return in style. And while she steps into Paris as the favorite, Simone Biles has surely compelled the world to write her down in history. Forever.

Did you get a chance to watch the docuseries? Let us know in the comments below.