Who is Simone Biles?

Origins: A Childhood of Challenge and Discovery

Simone Biles was born on March 14, 1997, in Columbus, Ohio, and grew up in Spring, Texas. Her early life was not the idyllic athletic genesis story that many elite athletes have — her mother struggled with substance abuse issues, and Simone and her siblings experienced instability in care. Eventually, she and her sister Adria were adopted by their grandparents, Ronald and Nellie Biles, who became her full-time guardians.

It was during a daycare field trip at age six that Biles first stepped foot in a gym, imitating other children on the apparatus. Her coach, seeing natural talent even at that young age, encouraged her continued training. From that moment, gymnastics became her outlet – and soon, her future.

Even as a junior gymnast, Biles’s combination of power, precision, and aerial awareness set her apart, foreshadowing the spectacular career that would follow.

Rise to Dominance: World Championships and Records

Biles moved into the elite level of competition quickly. As a senior competitor from 2013 onward, she began rewriting the record books:

World Championships: She collected a staggering number of medals, including multiple golds in all‑around, team, vault, balance beam, and floor exercise competitions.
Unique Skills: Biles is known for pushing the boundaries of difficulty, with moves on vault, balance beam, and floor exercise named after her — and each representing combinations of twists and flips that were previously unseen in women’s gymnastics.
Records: By the mid‑2020s, she had become the most decorated gymnast in World Championship history — male or female — notching over 30 World Championship medals with 23 golds.

Her dominance was not only about medal counts but also about changing what people thought was possible in gymnastics — elevating the difficulty and athleticism to new heights.

Olympic Journey: Triumphs and a Turning Point

Rio 2016: Arrival on the World’s Biggest Stage

At the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Biles emerged as a worldwide force:

Gold medals in team, individual all‑around, vault, and floor exercise.
Bronze on the balance beam.

Her four gold medals made her one of the most successful athletes of the Games and a global name almost overnight.

Tokyo 2020 / 2021: Why the World Stopped

When the COVID‑19 pandemic delayed the 2020 Tokyo Games until 2021, the gymnastics world was eager for Biles to compete again. But in Tokyo, she experienced what gymnasts call the “twisties” — a phenomenon in which spatial awareness in the air disappears, making complex skills unsafe.

Her choice to withdraw from many events — returning only to win a bronze on balance beam — sparked global discussions about mental health, pressure, and vulnerability among elite athletes. This decision transformed her from not just a sporting icon but a symbol of courage in acknowledging limits.

Paris 2024: “Redemption Tour” and Rewriting Her Legacy

The 2024 Olympic Games in Paris offered Biles a narrative of comeback and resilience. She dominated:

Gold medals in team, all‑around, and vault.
Silver on floor exercise.

Competing at age 27 — historically older than most elite female gymnasts — Biles silenced doubters and critics alike with a powerful performance. Landing unusually difficult skills like her signature Yurchenko double pike vault (also called “Biles II”) and contributing to Team USA’s success, she delivered one of the sport’s most triumphant returns.

Her Paris performance cemented her status as the most decorated Olympic gymnast in U.S. history, with 11 Olympic medals (7 gold) — numbers unmatched by any U.S. gymnast before her.

The Most Decorated Gymnast Ever — Records and Achievements

By 2026, Simone Biles’s career medal count — combining World Championships and Olympics — places her at the pinnacle of gymnastics achievement globally:

World Championships:

Record highs in overall medals and gold medals.

National Championships:

Record-breaking nine U.S. all‑around titles, making her the most successful gymnast in U.S. history.

Olympics:

One of the few gymnasts to represent her country in three separate Olympics (2016, Tokyo 2020/2021, 2024).

Beyond Gymnastics: Influence, Awards, and Public Presence

Biles’s impact is not confined to medals:

Global Honors and Accolades

She has won the Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year Award multiple times, a significant honor recognizing her influence across all sports globally.
At the 2025 ESPY Awards, she earned two top honors including Best Female Athlete and Best Championship Performance, reinforcing her stature as one of the world’s leading athletes beyond gymnastics.

Media, Culture, and Brand Influence

Simone Biles has cultivated a powerful brand both inside and outside athletics:

Endorsements and Financial Success

Despite not earning a traditional athletic salary, her awards, endorsements, and business ventures contribute to a global net worth estimated around $25 million by 2026.

She has been featured in major advertising campaigns and partnered with global brands, cementing her presence not just in elite sports but in mainstream culture.

Community Leadership and Tours

Biles launched and headlined touring gymnastics events like the Gold Over America Tour, blending performance sport with cultural entertainment and inspiring young fans.

Public Engagement and Broader Conversations

Mental Health Advocacy

Simone Biles’s decision in Tokyo brought mental health in elite sport into global conversation — her courage in prioritizing wellbeing inspired athletes across disciplines.

Social Interactions and Controversies

Like many prominent figures, Biles has faced moments of scrutiny. In mid‑2025, she publicly apologized for comments made in a dispute with former swimmer Riley Gaines during a broader discussion around transgender athletes and sport — a reminder that even icons face challenges balancing personal expression with public expectations.

Nonetheless, her overall public image remains overwhelmingly positive, grounded in her achievements and advocacy for athletes’ holistic wellbeing.

Life Outside Competition: Personal Growth and New Passions

Beyond competitive gymnastics, Biles has explored life in new ways:

She married NFL player Jonathan Owens, adding a deeply personal and supportive partnership to her public narrative.
Reports suggest Biles has started exploring new sports and interests — including activities like horseback riding — reflecting her desire for broader fulfillment beyond elite gymnastics.

Future Vision: Olympics, Retirement, and Legacy

To Compete or Not in 2028?

One of the most talked‑about questions in sports today is whether Biles will return for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics on home soil. As of 2025–2026, she has indicated uncertainty — balancing her body’s needs, her life priorities, and her love for the sport. While she has not ruled out competing again, she emphasizes the importance of physical health, joy, and purpose in whatever decision she makes next.

Whether as a competitor, mentor, commentator, or ambassador, Biles’s presence in Los Angeles — in 2028 — will likely be felt one way or another.

Legacy: What Simone Biles Means to the World

Simone Biles stands as an icon of:

Athletic excellence – through record‑breaking performances and innovative skills.
Courage – by bringing mental wellbeing into athletic discourse on a global scale.
Inspiration – for young athletes across backgrounds, demonstrating that greatness can arise from adversity.
Cultural impact – as a figure whose influence transcends gymnastics and resonates across society.