Simone Biles — Biography
Simone Biles, born March 14, 1997, is an American artistic gymnast whose career has redefined the sport. Her collection of seven Olympic medals equals the record held by Shannon Miller for the most by any American gymnast. With a remarkable 25 World Championship medals, Biles stands as the most decorated gymnast in history, widely acknowledged as the sport's greatest female competitor. In 2022, President Joe Biden bestowed upon her the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
At the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Summer Olympics, Biles shone, securing individual gold medals in the all-around, vault, and floor exercise. She also earned a bronze on the balance beam and a gold with the U.S. team, famously known as the "Final Five." The 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics saw Biles, anticipated to win a multitude of golds, withdraw from much of the competition. This decision stemmed from difficulties with "the twisties," a disorienting loss of aerial awareness. Nevertheless, she contributed to the U.S. team's silver medal and won a bronze on the balance beam. Her choice to prioritize her well-being, mental health, and safety during this period garnered widespread praise for her courage and resilience.
Her accolades extend to five World all-around championships (achieved in 2013-2015 and 2018-2019), five World floor exercise titles (also 2013-2015 and 2018-2019), three World balance beam championships (2014-2015 and 2019), and two World vault championships (2018-2019). Nationally, she has been crowned the United States all-around champion seven times (2013-2016, 2018-2019, and 2021). Biles has been a key member of the gold medal-winning U.S. teams at the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in 2014, 2015, 2018, and 2019.
Her World Championship medal count also includes three silvers (on vault in 2013 and 2014, and on uneven bars in 2018) and three bronzes (on vault in 2015, and on balance beam in 2013 and 2018). Biles holds the record for the most World medals overall, with 25, and the most World gold medals, with 19, surpassing Vitaly Scherbo's previous mark of 23 World medals when she secured her 24th and 25th golds at the 2019 World Championships in Stuttgart.
At the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Summer Olympics, Biles shone, securing individual gold medals in the all-around, vault, and floor exercise. She also earned a bronze on the balance beam and a gold with the U.S. team, famously known as the "Final Five." The 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics saw Biles, anticipated to win a multitude of golds, withdraw from much of the competition. This decision stemmed from difficulties with "the twisties," a disorienting loss of aerial awareness. Nevertheless, she contributed to the U.S. team's silver medal and won a bronze on the balance beam. Her choice to prioritize her well-being, mental health, and safety during this period garnered widespread praise for her courage and resilience.
Her accolades extend to five World all-around championships (achieved in 2013-2015 and 2018-2019), five World floor exercise titles (also 2013-2015 and 2018-2019), three World balance beam championships (2014-2015 and 2019), and two World vault championships (2018-2019). Nationally, she has been crowned the United States all-around champion seven times (2013-2016, 2018-2019, and 2021). Biles has been a key member of the gold medal-winning U.S. teams at the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in 2014, 2015, 2018, and 2019.
Her World Championship medal count also includes three silvers (on vault in 2013 and 2014, and on uneven bars in 2018) and three bronzes (on vault in 2015, and on balance beam in 2013 and 2018). Biles holds the record for the most World medals overall, with 25, and the most World gold medals, with 19, surpassing Vitaly Scherbo's previous mark of 23 World medals when she secured her 24th and 25th golds at the 2019 World Championships in Stuttgart.
