Simone Biles

Simone Biles Triumphs at Paris Olympics, Secures Four Medals in “Redemption Tour”

Simone Biles has completed her remarkable journey at the Paris Olympics, capturing three gold medals and one silver, solidifying her status as the most decorated U.S. gymnast in history. With these victories, Biles now holds an impressive 11 Olympic medals.

After her partial withdrawal from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Biles returned to competition with what she has referred to as her “redemption tour.” The 27-year-old gymnast claimed gold in both the individual and team all-around events, as well as in the vault, where she successfully performed her signature Yurchenko double pike. Despite a misstep in the balance beam event, Biles rounded out her performance with a silver medal for her floor routine.

Reflecting on her overall performance, Biles expressed pride in her achievements, stating:
“Obviously, it wasn’t my best performance, but at the end of the day, whoever medaled, medaled, and that’s what’s so exciting, because you just never know, it’s gymnastics. I’ve accomplished way more than my wildest dreams, not just at this Olympics, but in the sport, so I can’t be mad at my performances. A couple years ago, I didn’t think I’d be back here at an Olympic Games, so competing and then walking away with four medals… I’m pretty proud of myself.”

While many speculated that Paris would mark the end of Biles’ illustrious career, the gymnast has not ruled out the possibility of competing in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. After securing gold in the vault, she hinted at the future with a simple statement: “Never say never.”

Biles’ extraordinary comeback not only cements her legacy in the sport but also serves as an inspiring testament to perseverance and resilience.

Who Is Simone Biles?

Simone Biles is widely recognized as the most decorated gymnast in history, with an unprecedented 41 Olympic and World Championship medals to her name. Introduced to gymnastics at the age of six, Biles quickly rose to prominence, dominating the junior elite level before transitioning to the senior elite circuit in 2013. In her debut year, she captured both the U.S. and World all-around titles, marking the beginning of an extraordinary career.

Biles holds the record for six all-around World Championship titles and nine all-around U.S. Championship titles, setting a new standard in the sport. At the 2016 Rio Olympics, she dazzled the world by winning five medals, including four golds. Although she withdrew from most events at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics to prioritize her mental health, she still secured two medals. After taking a two-year hiatus, Biles made a remarkable comeback in 2023, leading to four medal wins at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Beyond gymnastics, Biles has gained recognition for her advocacy for mental health and personal well-being. She is married to NFL player Jonathan Owens, balancing her personal and professional life while continuing to inspire millions worldwide.

Early Life: Parents and Family

Simone Arianne Biles was born on March 14, 1997, in Columbus, Ohio. At an early age, Biles and her siblings—Adria, Ashley, and Tevin—faced instability due to their mother’s struggle with substance abuse, leading them to enter foster care when Simone was just three years old. Soon after, her maternal grandfather, Ron Biles, and his wife, Nellie, stepped in to care for Simone and Adria, eventually adopting both girls. Their siblings, Ashley and Tevin, were adopted by their great-aunt. Growing up in Spring, Texas, Biles discovered her remarkable athletic talents early on, particularly during a day care field trip to a gymnastics center when she was six years old. Impressed by her natural ability, a coach invited her to begin training. From there, Biles embarked on a journey to becoming one of the greatest gymnasts in history.

Throughout her rise in competitive gymnastics, Nellie Biles provided unwavering support. As Simone shared with CNN, her grandmother “encourages me and never lets me feel down about something for too long.”

In August 2019, Simone faced a personal family challenge when her brother, Tevin Biles-Thomas, was arrested on charges related to a triple homicide at a New Year’s Eve party. Simone expressed her heartbreak on social media, offering condolences to the victims’ families while grappling with the gravity of the situation. In May 2021, an Ohio judge acquitted Tevin due to insufficient evidence, dismissing the charges.

Gymnastics Career

Standing at just 4 feet 8 inches tall, Simone Biles began her competitive journey as a level 8 gymnast in 2007. By 2011, she had secured her place in junior elite gymnastics, winning top honors in the vault and balance beam events at the American Classic, where she also placed third in the all-around competition. Her rise continued in 2012, with dominant performances across major competitions, including victories at the American Classic and the Secret U.S. Classic. Inspired by the U.S. women’s gymnastics team’s success at the 2012 London Olympics, Biles set her sights beyond collegiate gymnastics, striving for international excellence.

In 2013, Biles emerged as a formidable force on the senior elite stage. Her breakthrough came when she won the all-around title at the U.S. P&G Championships. Later that year, she made history by becoming the first Black woman to win the all-around gold medal at the World Championships. Reflecting on this milestone, Biles shared with The Hollywood Reporter that her victory likely inspired other young gymnasts to work harder and dream bigger.

Biles solidified her legacy in 2014, repeating her triumphs in the U.S. and World all-around competitions. That same year, she wowed audiences with her floor routines, notably executing a double layout flip with a half-twist, a move that has since become her signature.

In 2015, Biles made history again, becoming the first woman to win three consecutive World all-around titles, bringing her total to 10 World Championship gold medals. Recognized as one of America’s top Olympic hopefuls, Biles trained for the 2016 Rio Olympics at her family’s gym, World Champions Centre, in Spring, Texas.

2016 Olympic Games

Biles captivated audiences during the 2016 U.S. Olympic trials, securing her spot on the team with a commanding all-around performance. At the Rio Olympics, she led the U.S. women’s gymnastics team—dubbed “The Final Five”—to a gold medal victory. With standout performances on vault, balance beam, and floor exercise (where she showcased her signature move, “The Biles”), Biles cemented her place among the all-time greats.

She continued her individual dominance at the Games, winning the all-around gold medal with a score of 62.198, the largest margin of victory in decades. Biles also claimed gold in the vault, bronze on the balance beam, and another gold on the floor exercise. With a total of five medals, including four golds, Biles joined a select group of gymnasts who have achieved such a feat in a single Olympic Games.

Her unparalleled achievements in Rio marked a historic chapter in gymnastics, further solidifying her as a global icon in the sport.

Breaking Records at the U.S. Nationals and World Championships

After taking much of 2017 off, Simone Biles made a triumphant return to gymnastics, reclaiming her position at the pinnacle of the sport. In August 2018, she swept all four events at the U.S. Gymnastics Championships, winning by an impressive margin of 6.55 points, making her the first woman to secure five national all-around titles.

Biles surpassed her own achievements the following year, becoming the first gymnast to execute a double-double dismount from the balance beam and the first woman to land a triple-double in floor exercise. Her dominance culminated in her sixth U.S. nationals win, a mere formality. In October 2019, she added another major accolade by winning her fifth individual all-around gold at the World Championships, bringing her World Championship medal total to a record-breaking 25.

Historic Achievements

On May 22, 2021, Biles became the first woman to successfully perform the Yurchenko double pike in competition during the GK US Classic in Indianapolis. The move, typically executed by male gymnasts, involves a roundoff onto the springboard, a back handspring onto the vault, followed by a piked double backflip. Biles would continue to perform this challenging skill at subsequent competitions, including the 2023 U.S. Classic, the 2023 U.S. Gymnastics Championships, and the 2023 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships. Her performance of the move at the World Championships marked its first appearance in an international competition, leading to it being named “The Biles.”

2020 Olympic Games Withdrawal

Biles’ path to her second Olympic Games in 2021 was widely anticipated. However, the competition took an unexpected turn when she experienced the “twisties,” a dangerous phenomenon in which gymnasts lose midair spatial awareness. This forced her to withdraw from the women’s team final, a decision that stunned fans worldwide.

In a press conference, Biles emphasized the importance of prioritizing mental health, stating, “If you don’t, you’re not going to enjoy your sport, and you’re not going to succeed as much as you want to.” Despite her withdrawal, Team USA secured a silver medal, and Biles returned to the competition for the balance beam final, where she earned a bronze.

Biles’ extended break from competition following the Tokyo Games allowed her to focus on her mental health, leading to her eventual return to the sport in 2023.

2023 Return to Competition

In August 2023, Biles made a remarkable comeback at the Core Hydration Classic, winning the all-around title by five points, along with titles in floor and beam events. This performance earned her a spot at the U.S. Championships, where she made history once again as the first gymnast to win eight national all-around titles and the oldest woman, at age 26, to do so. She further extended her legacy at the 2023 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships, securing additional gold medals in all-around, balance beam, and floor, and a silver in vault, making her the most decorated gymnast in history.

2024 Olympics

In 2024, Biles continued to dominate, winning the all-around titles at both the Core Hydration Classic and the U.S. Championships. Her performance at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials earned her a spot on Team USA for the Paris Games, making her the first American gymnast in over 20 years to qualify for three Olympics.

At the Paris 2024 Olympics, Biles led Team USA to victory with a gold medal in the team all-around, followed by individual golds in the all-around and vault. Despite a fall in the balance beam event and a mistake in floor exercise, she walked away with four medals, a testament to her unparalleled talent and resilience.

Medals and Legacy

As of August 2024, Biles has amassed a staggering 106 medals, including 11 Olympic medals (7 gold, 2 silver, 2 bronze), 30 World Championships medals (23 gold, 4 silver, 3 bronze), 41 U.S. Championships medals, and 26 U.S. Classic medals. She holds six all-around World titles and nine all-around U.S. Championship titles, both records. Biles also has five gymnastics skills named after her across various events.

Off the Gym Floor

In addition to her athletic achievements, Biles was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2022, recognizing her contributions beyond the gym. She also starred in the Netflix docuseries Simone Biles Rising, which premiered in 2024, showcasing her journey to the Paris Olympics.

Personal Life and Marriage

Biles married NFL player Jonathan Owens in April 2023, and though their careers often keep them apart, the couple remains committed to building their life together. They are currently building a home in Texas.

Net Worth and Endorsements

As of August 2024, Biles’ net worth is estimated to be $25 million, bolstered by lucrative endorsement deals with major companies such as United Airlines and Oreo. In 2023, she ranked as the ninth-highest earning female athlete, thanks to her sponsorships and speaking engagements.

Simone Biles’ remarkable career, resilience, and advocacy for mental health have solidified her legacy as one of the greatest gymnasts of all time.