With 25 World Championships and 7 Olympic medals, Simone Biles is considered one of the greatest gymnasts of all time. At the young age of 25, Biles has made history in the field of gymnastics. Let’s dive into the life of the champion and how she started in the sport.
Simone Biles was born in Columbus, Ohio, in 1997. She spent the early years of her life in foster care before getting adopted by her biological grandparents, Ronald and Nellie Biles. There, she and her younger sister Adria were provided with a secure childhood with proper facilities.
The GOAT #SimoneBiles SLAYING on her floor routine: 15.4!! #StandingO
pic.twitter.com/cEk1ZagoLA— Johnny (@jrptigers) August 28, 2023
Since her childhood, Simone has always been active and energetic. During a field trip, when Biles was six years old, she was taken to a gym by her mother. She was absolutely fascinated by the teenagers practicing gymnastics. She started imitating their moves and was immediately spotted by their coach Aimee Boorman. She was so impressed by Biles that she wrote a letter to her parents suggesting enrolling Biles in gymnastics classes.
As per the coach’s advice, Biles’ parents enrolled her in Houston’s, Bannon’s Gymnastix center. Biles was so brilliant that in no time, she became the star of the academy. However, things didn’t go as planned as Biles was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), which impeded her ability to focus on everything, especially her studies and gymnastics.
Her mother, Nellie, and prescribed stimulant Ritalin helped Biles overcome this. She made her debut in elite gymnastics underway in 2011.
Simone Biles withdrawing from finals to focus on mental health
After becoming the most medal-winning gymnast in the world in 2019, Simone sparked the conversation about prioritizing mental health at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
At the 2021 U.S. Classic, she made her debut in the Yurchenko double back vault, which is known as the most difficult vault ever performed by a female gymnast. She gained the title of Greatest of All Time (G.O.A.T) after becoming the first American female to win seven national all-around titles.
USA Gymnastics confirms that Simone Biles will not participate in Thursday’s women’s all-around final to focus on her mental health.
“Her courage shows, yet again, why she is a role model for so many,” the governing body said.@USAgym | @TeamUSA
— The Olympic Games (@Olympics) July 28, 2021
However, in July at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, she withdrew from finals to focus on her mental health, which made headlines worldwide. She won team silver and balance beam bronze there. Thereafter, Biles went on her own 30-city tour, The Gold Over America Tour to travel around the United States.