Simone Biles

Simone Biles is an American artistic gymnast widely considered one of the greatest and most dominant athletes in the history of the sport. Her unprecedented achievements at the Olympic Games and World Artistic Gymnastics Championships have redefined the boundaries of gymnastics. Recognized for her exceptional power, precision, and innovative skills, she has become a global icon for athletic excellence and advocacy.

Early life and background

Born in Columbus, Ohio, she was adopted by her maternal grandfather, Ron Biles, and his wife, Nellie Biles, and grew up in Spring, Texas. She was introduced to gymnastics during a daycare field trip to Bannon's Gymnastix, where her natural talent was quickly noticed by coaches. Her early training was guided by Aimee Boorman, who would remain her coach for over a decade. She attended Benfer Elementary School and later switched to homeschooling to accommodate her intensive training schedule, eventually graduating from the online program at University of Texas High School.

Gymnastics career

Her senior international debut came at the 2013 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Antwerp, where she won gold in the all-around and floor exercise. This began a historic streak of dominance at the World Championships, where she has collected a record number of world medals. At the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, she led the U.S. women's team, dubbed the "Final Five", to team gold and won individual gold medals in the all-around, vault, and floor exercise, along with a bronze on balance beam. After a hiatus, she returned to competition, winning five medals at the 2019 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Stuttgart. At the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, held in 2021, she withdrew from several finals to focus on her mental health, a decision widely supported, but still won a bronze medal on beam and a silver in the team event.

Skills and legacy

She is renowned for performing skills of unparalleled difficulty, many of which are named for her in the Code of Points. These include the Biles on vault, a double pike with a half-twist, and the Biles II on floor exercise, a triple-twisting double tuck. On balance beam, she performs a double-twisting double somersault dismount, also bearing her name. Her technical innovation and consistency have pushed the sport to new heights, influencing a generation of gymnasts. Her combined total of Olympic and World Championship medals makes her the most decorated gymnast in history, surpassing previous record-holders like Larisa Latynina and Vitaly Scherbo.

Personal life

She is engaged to Jonathan Owens, a professional American football player for the Chicago Bears. She has been open about her experiences with ADHD and her use of medication for it, which led to a high-profile controversy with the World Anti-Doping Agency known as the "Simone Biles doping controversy", where she was ultimately cleared. In 2018, she revealed she was among the hundreds of gymnasts sexually abused by former USA Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar; she has since become a prominent advocate for survivors and for reform within the sport's governing bodies. She is also a vocal supporter of various charitable causes and mental health awareness.

Public image and impact

Beyond her athletic feats, she is celebrated for her courage in prioritizing mental and physical well-being at the 2020 Summer Olympics, sparking a global conversation about athlete welfare. She has been featured on the covers of magazines like *Time*, *Vogue*, and Sports Illustrated, and was named the Associated Press's Female Athlete of the Year multiple times. She has also appeared on television shows such as *Dancing with the Stars* and launched her own Gold Over America Tour. Her influence extends to popular culture, with her athleticwear line with Athleta and her status as a role model for resilience and authenticity. In 2022, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Joe Biden.

Category:American female artistic gymnasts Category:Olympic gymnasts of the United States Category:Recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom