With eight all-around titles in the World Championship, Simone Biles is known to be the greatest gymnast of all time. The 26-year-old has engraved her name on the pages of history with her utter dominance in gymnastics. But very few know when she won her first Olympic gold or when she participated in the Olympics for the first time.
Simone Biles‘ interest in gymnastics sparked at the age of 6 during a daycare field trip at Bannon’s Gymnastics. After 11 years of training under coach Aimer Boorman, Biles participated in the Women’s Junior Olympic National Championships in 2010. She won a gold in the floor exercise and a bronze in the vault.
August 11, 2016. Olympic Champion pic.twitter.com/d8VXRQ7vC5
— Simone Biles (@Simone_Biles) August 12, 2016
Paved her way to the high, Biles literally dominated the sports. She was known for incorporating a high degree of difficulty in her sports, and she continues to do so. In 2013, the legend competed in the World Gymnastics Championships as a senior competitor and won her first all-around title. As she claimed the title, Biles became the first African-American woman to do so.
1st olympics – 4th olympic medal (3 gold & 1 bronze) yall aight out there ? bc I’m more than happy! Floor finals tomorrow, so excited
— Simone Biles (@Simone_Biles) August 15, 2016
As Biles couldn’t compete in the 2012 London Olympics because of her age, she participated in the 2016 Olympics, held in Rio de Janeiro, for the first time. She led the United States to gold during the team event and also won the individual all-around. She also won the floor and vault events, which made her the fifth female gymnast to win four golds in a single Olympics; that was also her first one.
Simone Biles sets sights on the 2024 Paris Olympics
During an interview with Hoda Kotb on TODAY, the legendary gymnast revealed her professional plans for the future. She subtly hinted that her next goal is likely to be the 2024 Paris Olympics.
When asked what her plan is to return in 2024, Biles replied, “Right now I would say that’s the path that I would love to go to.” The news became even bigger after her recent conquest of the world championship since the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
EXCLUSIVE: Simone Biles (@Simone_Biles) reveals to @hodakotb that the Paris 2024 Olympics is the path she would “love to go.” #Paris2024 @NBCOlympics pic.twitter.com/E1Gg1IhUoL
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) September 7, 2023
The 26-year-old won the 8th all-around title at the world championship, which is the highest count made by any gymnast, male and female categories included. After a two-year break for mental health, Biles has made a solid comeback and is being more cautious with her training and everything.
The gymnastics legend told TODAY that she is taking care of herself a little more than before and listening to her body to make sure not to repeat what happened at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. As she returned to normal gymnastics, she was taking therapy, giving herself time, and balancing her professional and personal lives.
With everything in mind, Biles is ready to take on the world, as she says. She feels more confident by heading towards the World Trials and soon making the World Team.