Simone Biles refers to the most iconic gymnast that has been witnessed in the history of gymnastics. At 25 years, she has attained more monumental accomplishments in the sport than any of the gymnasts.
Biles started gymnastics at a very young age inasts she was adopted by her grandparents in 1997 in Columbus Ohio. At the age of six, she began practicing gymnastics and in the following years demonstrated sheer potential. At the age of fourteen she took a status of one of the best junior gymnasts of America.
That particular year Biles competed as a senior and was able to win the all-around and floor exercise at the World championships. This began one of the most formidable periods of volleyball the world had ever witnessed. In the next six years Biles would claim 25 World and Olympic medals becoming the most decorated athlete from America and holding a record for the most World Championship golds achieved by any gymnast.
She has especially revolutionalized the form of scoring in women’s gymnastics through her flexibility. She is the first woman to complete a triple-twisting double back flip on the floor exercise and the very hard, risky vault now has her name –the ‘Biles’. Her performances are legendary and she is the only woman who offers the enormous power that characterizes this dangerous sport.
Away from the dance studio and the gym, Biles actively supports athletes’ well-being and speaks out against sexual abuse. Despite a troubling past of being abused by convicted serial child molester and former USA Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar, she is a survivor whose story is inspiring the world.
At the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 Biles pulled out of the team final for mental health issues. This drew focus on the fact that there is pressure that all athletes endure when they get to that higher level of athletics. Though the American gymnast did not secure an all-around gold as expected, in that moment, she established herself as a mental health warrior.
While she is hoping to compete in another Olympics in 2024, the queen of the rings aims to win even more and enhance her legendary legacy. Therefore, even if Simone Biles fails to perform well in Paris, she has proven to be one of the most talented and bravest gymnasts by breaking barriers with her skills and speaking about mental health issues. I’m positive that she will remain a role model for future generations of gymnasts to come.