Too young to qualify for the 2012 London Olympics, Biles skyrocketed to fame in 2013. At just 16, she clinched two gold medals at the Antwerp Championship, including the coveted all-around title. Here, she introduced the world to a groundbreaking move on the floor exercise —the Biles, a double layout with a half twist, now cemented into gymnastics history.
The American continued dominating gymnastics. Her indomitable spirit was again evident at the 2019 World Championships in Stuttgart, where she triumphed with five golds, including the all-around title. Here, she astounded judges by attempting a new move, the Biles II—a double tucked backflip with a triple twist. Her name now adorns five distinct gymnastic moves across floor, balance beam, and vault.
Simone Biles: Navigating Mental Struggles in the Gymnastics Arena
As she entered the 2020 Tokyo Games, expectations reached a crescendo. Simone Biles added two more medals to her Olympic tally, making it a remarkable seven. However, she made headlines by withdrawing from most events, citing mental health concerns. Her struggles with the "twisties," a disorienting mental block during aerial manoeuvres, were laid bare.
Biles' decision to prioritize her mental well-being sparked vital conversations about the immense pressure athletes face and their mental health challenges. Since then, she has become an advocate for mental health.
"I'm making a bigger effort to take care of my mind and my body, which includes therapy once a week. Thursdays are my therapeutic days, a moment for myself," Biles explained in a 2023 interview with Olympics.com, before marking her return to the World Championships.
After a significant hiatus following Tokyo, where she tied the knot with fellow athlete Jonathan Owens, the 4ft8 gymnast received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from U.S. President Biden.
She won five new medals, including four golds, and amassed a total of 30 career medals at the 2023 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Antwerp, Belgium.
Biles' perspective on success has evolved. "Success, to me, means something a little bit different now. Before, everybody defined success for me, even though I had my own narrative. Now, it's about showing up, being in a good mental space, having fun, and letting whatever happens happen," she shared with Olympics.com during the Antwerp tournament.
Her journey will continue, propelling her toward the awaited Paris 2024 Olympics.
Simone Biles Stats and Wins
7x Olympic medals
- 4x Gold
- 1x Silver
- 2x Bronze
30 World Championship medals
- 23x Gold
- 4x Silver
- 3x bronze
Record number of World gold medals (23)
Record number of World all-around titles (6) in the women's competition
