The Unstoppable Journey of Simone Biles: Dominating Gymnastics and Redefining Greatness
Simone Biles: A Journey of Unparalleled Success in Gymnastics - Explore the extraordinary career of Simone Biles, a true legend in the sport Witness her remarkable achievements and groundbreaking moves that have solidified her status as the greatest of all time
Simone Biles, a petite athlete standing at 4-foot-8, possesses an immense reputation. Hailing from Texas, she embarked on her gymnastics journey at the age of 6 and by 14, she had already secured an invitation to the junior national team camp. Prior to her debut in the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro at the age of 19, Biles had already clinched numerous world championship gold medals. At the Olympics, she remarkably earned her first individual all-around, vault, and floor gold medals, alongside a bronze medal in balance beam and a gold medal as a member of Team USA.
Biles took a break from competitions after her successful performance in Rio and went on to write her memoir and participate in Dancing With the Stars. However, she quickly resumed training for the Tokyo Olympics, only to withdraw from multiple events due to the "twisties." This led to a two-year hiatus from competition. After marrying NFL star Jonathan Owens in April 2023, she made a remarkable comeback in August 2023, demonstrating her determination to compete in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Keep scrolling to take a look back at Biles’ many achievements over the years:
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Simone Biles Through the Years: From Junior Champ to Gymnastics GOAT
Simone Biles may be small in stature, standing at just 4-foot-8, but her reputation is anything but diminutive.
Hailing from Texas, she began her journey in gymnastics at the tender age of 6. By 14, she had impressed enough to earn an invitation to the junior national team camp. Prior to her debut at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro at the age of 19, she had already amassed several world championship gold medals. In Rio, she showcased her exceptional talent by securing her first Olympic gold medals in the individual all-around, vault, and floor events, along with a bronze medal in balance beam. She was also an indispensable part of Team USA, contributing to their gold medal victory.
After achieving great success in Rio, Biles released her memoir and made an appearance on Dancing With the Stars. However, she quickly resumed her training at the gym to get ready for the Tokyo Olympics. Unfortunately, she had to withdraw from a number of Olympic events due to experiencing the "twisties," resulting in a two-year hiatus from competitive sports.
After tying the knot with NFL star Jonathan Owens in April 2023, Biles made a comeback to the mat in August 2023, making her intentions clear that she was determined to prepare for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Keep scrolling to take a look back at Biles' many achievements over the years:
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October 2013
The gymnast showcased exceptional performance in her debut at the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships, securing the gold medal in both the all-around and floor exercise events. Additionally, she claimed the silver medal in vault and the bronze medal in the balance beam. Notably, she made history as the first African American gymnast to capture the all-around title, and was recognized for her contribution to the sport with a move named after her—a double layout with a half twist in the floor exercise.
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October 2014
Biles continued her unparalleled success at the Worlds, effortlessly securing gold medals in the all-around, balance beam, and floor exercise, while also earning a well-deserved silver in the vault. As a result, her remarkable feat of leading the team to first place elevated her overall count of gold medals to an astounding six, thus solidifying her position as the most decorated American gymnast in Worlds history.
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October 2015
At the 2015 Worlds competition, she made history by becoming the first woman to win three consecutive all-around titles. In addition to this remarkable feat, she also secured gold medals for her team, balance beam, and floor exercise performances, as well as a bronze for vault. These victories took her Worlds medal count to an impressive 14, the highest among all Americans, and her tally of gold medals to an incredible 10, the most achieved by any woman in the history of World Championships.
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August 2016
Biles achieved an extraordinary feat at the Olympics, securing her initial gold medal by contributing to the triumph of the U.S. team. Additionally, she astoundingly clinched three more golds in the individual all-around competition, vault, and floor exercise events. Furthermore, she attained a commendable bronze medal for her phenomenal performance on the balance beam.
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November 2016
After Rio, she published an autobiography called Courage to Soar: A Body in Motion, A Life in Balance.
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March 2017
Following in the footsteps of her teammate Hernandez, Biles competed on season 24 of DWTS and finished in fourth place with Sasha Farber as her partner.
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July 2017
At the 25th annual ESPY Awards, the gymnast took home the trophy for Best Female Athlete, beating out Serena Williams, Katie Ledecky and Candace Parker.
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January 2018
Biles issued a statement, confirming that she had been sexually assaulted by Larry Nassar, a former doctor for USA Gymnastics. In December 2017, Nassar pleaded guilty to charges of child pornography and tampering with evidence, resulting in a 60-year federal prison sentence. The following month, he pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting minors and was sentenced to 40 to 175 years in a Michigan state prison.
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July 2018
Biles was among more than 300 girls and women honored with the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the 26th annual ESPY Awards for their bravery in speaking out against Nassar. Raisman, Douglas, and McKayla Maroney were also recognized as recipients.
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October 2018
After taking a year off, Biles made a triumphant return to the Worlds and emerged victorious, clinching gold medals in the team, all-around, floor exercise, and vault categories. Notably, she even had a second skill named after her in recognition of her astonishing performance during the vault routine - a flawless execution of a roundoff, back handspring with half turn entry, followed by a front stretched somersault with two twists.
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October 2019
In 2019, she achieved an extraordinary feat by securing five gold medals at the Worlds, thus solidifying her position as the gymnast with the highest number of Worlds medals in history. Additionally, she etched her name in history by having two new skills named after her. The Biles II, a remarkable triple-twisting double-tucked salto executed in the floor exercise, and the Biles, an impressive double-twisting double-tucked salto dismount executed on the balance beam.
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August 2020
The NFL player Jonathan Owens, who had never heard of the gymnast before, became romantically involved with her. He revealed that this lack of awareness was something she found appealing, as mentioned in his interview with Texas Monthly.
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July 2021
After contributing to the U.S. team's silver medal in the team competition, Biles withdrew from subsequent events due to a medical issue. She opted out of the individual all-around, vault, and floor exercise but still managed to secure a bronze medal in the balance beam competition. Speaking at a press conference, Biles explained her decision, stating that she felt it was best to prioritize her mental well-being and not jeopardize the team's chances of winning medals. She expressed confidence in her teammates' abilities and encouraged them to continue competing in the remaining events.
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December 2021
Biles earned Time magazine’s Athlete of the Year distinction following her mental health advocacy and emotional Senate testimony earlier that year.
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February 2022
After less than two years of dating, Biles announced that she is engaged to Owens.
"THE EASIEST YES," the Olympian exclaimed in the heartfelt Instagram post in February 2022. "I am filled with anticipation to spend eternity with you, as you are everything I ever envisioned and much more! Let's embark on our journey of matrimony, my beloved FIANCÉ @jowens_3."
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March 2022
Reflecting on her career achievements, Biles suggested that she might consider a future return to gymnastics. In an interview with USA Today, she expressed that while she may be considered too old by American standards, she felt she was reaching her peak leading up to the Tokyo Olympics. She believed that at 19 years old in 2016, she had already reached her highest potential. However, upon returning to the sport, she realized that she could surpass her previous accomplishments, despite being told that she had already reached her best.
Biles emphasized the importance of disregarding negative perspectives and persevering. Her motivation is to explore her full potential and uncover her incredible abilities. This led her to make the decision to return, ensuring that she won't harbor any regrets when reflecting upon her career in the future. At this moment, she can genuinely declare that she has no regrets, but she is open to the possibility of pushing herself even further.
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July 2022
Biles was presented with the prestigious Presidential Medal of Freedom on July 7 by President Joe Biden. Expressing her immense gratitude and honor, she took to Instagram to share her astonishment and lack of words upon receiving this distinguished award.
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April 2023
Biles married Owens after three years of dating. "I do," she captioned wedding photos via Instagram at the time.
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August 2023
Biles made a triumphant return to the competition circuit after a two-year hiatus. In her first event, the Core Hydration Classic in Chicago, she secured the coveted gold medal. Just weeks later, she continued her winning streak at the Xfinity U.S. Gymnastics Championships, where she etched her name in history as the first gymnast ever to claim eight national all-around titles. An extraordinary feat indeed, especially considering that at the age of 26, she became the oldest U.S. women's all-around champion.
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October 2023
Biles once again made history at the Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Antwerp, Belgium, by securing her 27th and 28th world championship medals. Accompanied by her impressive tally of seven Olympic medals, she has officially surpassed all other gymnasts as the most decorated in history.
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