Simone Biles at age six with younger sister, Adria.
Gallery of Simone Biles
Simone Biles' childhood photos
Gallery of Simone Biles
Simone Biles' childhood photos
Gallery of Simone Biles
Simone Biles' childhood photos
Gallery of Simone Biles
Simone Biles family picture.
Gallery of Simone Biles
Simone Biles at age six with younger sister, Adria.
Gallery of Simone Biles
Simone Biles with friends.
Gallery of Simone Biles
Simone Biles' childhood photos
Gallery of Simone Biles
Simone Biles' childhood photos
Gallery of Simone Biles
Simone Biles' childhood photos
Gallery of Simone Biles
Simone Biles' childhood photos
Gallery of Simone Biles
Simone Biles' childhood photos
College/University
Career
Gallery of Simone Biles
2013
Schijnpoortweg 119, 2170 Antwerpen, Belgium
(L-R) Kyla Ross (silver medal) of USA, Simone Biles (gold medal) of USA and Aliya Mustafina (bronze medal) of Russia pose after the Womens All-Round Final on Day Five of the Artistic Gymnastics World Championships Belgium 2013 held at the Antwerp Sports Palace on October 4, 2013 in Antwerpen, Belgium.
(Source: Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images Europe)
Gallery of Simone Biles
2013
Schijnpoortweg 119, 2170 Antwerpen, Belgium
Simone Biles of USA competes in the Womens Uneven Bars Qualification on Day Three of the Artistic Gymnastics World Championships Belgium 2013 held at the Antwerp Sports Palace on October 2, 2013 in Antwerpen, Belgium.
(Source: Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images Europe)
Gallery of Simone Biles
2014
55 Wall St, New York, NY 10005, USA
Simone Biles (L) and Nastia Liukin during the Women’s Sports Foundation’s 35th Annual Salute to Women In Sports awards, a celebration and a fundraiser to ensure more girls and women have access to sports at Cipriani Wall Street on October 15, 2014 in New York City.
(Source: Mike Coppola/Getty Images North America)
Gallery of Simone Biles
2014
55 Wall St, New York, NY 10005, USA
Simone Biles poses on stage at the 35th Annual Salute To Women In Sports event at Cipriani Wall Street on October 15, 2014 in New York City.
(Source: Michael Loccisano/Getty Images North America)
Gallery of Simone Biles
2014
Nanning, China
Simone Biles of United States performs on the Balance Beam during the Women's Balance Beam Final on day six of the 45th Artistic Gymnastics World Championships at Guangxi Sports Center Stadium on October 12, 2014 in Nanning, China.
(Source: Lintao Zhang/Getty Images AsiaPac)
Gallery of Simone Biles
2014
Nanning, China
Simone Biles of the United States performs on the Balance Beam during the Women's Team Final on day two of the 45th Artistic Gymnastics World Championships at Guangxi Sports Center Stadium on October 8, 2014 in Nanning, China.
(Source: Lintao Zhang/Getty Images AsiaPac)
Gallery of Simone Biles
2014
1001 Fifth Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
Simone Biles competes on the floor exercise in the senior women finals during the 2014 P&G Gymnastics Championships at Consol Energy Center on August 23, 2014 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
(Source: Jared Wickerham/Getty Images North America)
Gallery of Simone Biles
2014
1001 Fifth Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
Simone Biles competes on the balance beam in the senior women finals during the 2014 P&G Gymnastics Championships at Consol Energy Center on August 23, 2014 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
(Source: Jared Wickerham/Getty Images North America
Gallery of Simone Biles
2015
1011 N Fuller Ave, West Hollywood, CA 90046, USA
Gymnasts Gabby Douglas and Simone Biles pose for a portrait at the USOC Rio Olympics Shoot at Quixote Studios on November 20, 2015 in Los Angeles, California.
(Source: Harry How/Getty Images North America)
Gallery of Simone Biles
2015
Exhibition Way, Glasgow G3 8YW, UK
Simone Biles of the U.S. celebrates with team mate Gabriella Douglasl during day seven of World Artistic Gymnastics Championships at The SSE Hydro on October 29, 2015 in Glasgow, Scotland.
(Source: Ian MacNicol/Getty Images Europe)
Gallery of Simone Biles
2015
Exhibition Way, Glasgow G3 8YW, UK
Simone Biles of United States poses with her Gold medal in the Hall of Champions during day seven of World Artistic Gymnastics Championships at The SSE Hydro on October 29, 2015 in Glasgow, Scotland.
(Source: Ian MacNicol/Getty Images Europe)
Gallery of Simone Biles
2015
Exhibition Way, Glasgow G3 8YW, UK
Simone Biles of USA competes on the Beam during the All-Around Final on day seven of the 2015 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships at The SSE Hydro on October 29, 2015 in Glasgow, Scotland.
(Source: Alex Livesey/Getty Images Europe)
Gallery of Simone Biles
2015
Exhibition Way, Glasgow G3 8YW, UK
Simone Biles of USA competes in the Beam during Day 5 of the 2015 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships at The SSE Hydro on October 27, 2015 in Glasgow, Scotland.
(Source: Alex Livesey/Getty Images Europe)
Gallery of Simone Biles
2015
Exhibition Way, Glasgow G3 8YW, UK
Simone Biles of USA competes on the floor during Day Two of the 2015 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships at The SSE Hydro on October 24, 2015 in Glasgow, Scotland.
(Source: Alex Livesey/Getty Images Europe)
Gallery of Simone Biles
2015
125 S Pennsylvania St, Indianapolis, IN 46204, USA
Simone Biles with coach Aimee Boorman during the women's finals of the 2015 P&G Gymnastics Championships at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on August 15, 2015 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
(Source: Getty Images North America)
Gallery of Simone Biles
2015
125 S Pennsylvania St, Indianapolis, IN 46204, USA
Simone Biles competes in the women's finals of the 2015 P&G Gymnastics Championships at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on August 15, 2015 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
(Source: Joe Robbins/Getty Images North America)
Gallery of Simone Biles
2015
125 S Pennsylvania St, Indianapolis, IN 46204, USA
Simone Biles waves to the crowd after finishing first in the overall standings of the women's finals of the 2015 P&G Gymnastics Championships at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on August 15, 2015 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
(Source: Joe Robbins/Getty Images North America)
Gallery of Simone Biles
2016
855 N Cahuenga Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90038, USA
Honoree Simone Biles speaks onstage during The Hollywood Reporter's Annual Women in Entertainment Breakfast in Los Angeles at Milk Studios on December 7, 2016 in Hollywood, California.
(Source: Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images North America)
Gallery of Simone Biles
2016
Marina del Rey, California, USA
(L-R) Front Row: Honorees Tatyana McFadden and Simone Biles. (L-R) Back Row: Honorees Dr. Vanessa Kerry, founder/CEO of Code to Inspire Fereshteh Forough, Marie Claire' Editor-in-Chief Anne Fulenwider, honorees Madison Maxey, Sabrina Gonzalez Pasterski, actress Gina Rodriguez, honorees Amanda Nguyen and Jessica O. Matthews attend Marie Claire Young Women's Honors presented by Clinique at Marina del Rey Marriott on November 19, 2016 in Marina del Rey, California.
(Source: Rich Polk/Getty Images North America)
Gallery of Simone Biles
2016
1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20500, USA
U.S. President Barack Obama hugs Olympian Simone Biles during an East Room event at the White House September 29, 2016 in Washington, DC. President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama welcome the 2016 U.S. Olympic and Paralympic teams to the White House to honor their participation and success in the Rio Olympic Games this year.
(Source: Elsa/Getty Images North America)
Gallery of Simone Biles
2016
1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20500, USA
U.S. President Barack Obam (R) is presented with a Team USA surfboard by Olympian Simone Biles (L) as first lady Michelle Obama (2nd L) looks on during an East Room event at the White House September 29, 2016 in Washington, DC. President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama welcome the 2016 U.S. Olympic and Paralympic teams to the White House to honor their participation and success in the Rio Olympic Games this year.
(Source: Alex Wong/Getty Images North America
Gallery of Simone Biles
2016
1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20500, USA
U.S. President Barack Obam (R) is presented with a Team USA surfboard by Olympian Simone Biles (2nd L) as first lady Michelle Obama (L) looks on during an East Room event at the White House September 29, 2016 in Washington, DC. President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama welcome the 2016 U.S. Olympic and Paralympic teams to the White House to honor their participation and success in the Rio Olympic Games this year.
(Source: Alex Wong/Getty Images North America)
Gallery of Simone Biles
2016
360 West 33rd Street, New York, NY 10001, USA
(L-R) Simone Biles and Maria Sharapova attend the Vera Wang Collection fashion show during New York Fashion Week: The Shows at The Arc, Skylight at Moynihan Station on September 13, 2016 in New York City.
(Source: Larry Busacca/Getty Images North America)
Gallery of Simone Biles
2016
360 West 33rd Street, New York, NY 10001, USA
(L-R) Cynthia Erivo, Simone Biles, Anna Wintour and Maria Sharapova attend the Vera Wang Collection fashion show during New York Fashion Week: The Shows at The Arc, Skylight at Moynihan Station on September 13, 2016 in New York City.
(Source: Larry Busacca/Getty Images North America)
Gallery of Simone Biles
2016
New York, USA
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and guest Simone Biles during Thursday's 11/17/16 show in New York.
(Source: CBS)
Gallery of Simone Biles
2016
4 Pennsylvania Plaza, New York, NY 10001, USA
(R-L) Olympic gymnasts Aly Raisman, Madison Kocian, Laurie Hernandez and Simone Biles attend the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards at Madison Square Garden on August 28, 2016 in New York City.
(Source: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images North America)
Gallery of Simone Biles
2016
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Flag bearer Simone Biles of United States participates during the "Heroes of the Games" segment during the Closing Ceremony on Day 16 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Maracana Stadium on August 21, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
(Source: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images South America)
Gallery of Simone Biles
2016
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Simone Biles of the United States competes on the Women's Floor final on Day 11 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Rio Olympic Arena on August 16, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
(Source: Julian Finney/Getty Images South America)
Gallery of Simone Biles
2016
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Lauren Hernandez of the United States is congratulated by Simone Biles after competing in the Balance Beam Final on day 10 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Rio Olympic Arena on August 15, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
(Source: Lars Baron/Getty Images South America)
Gallery of Simone Biles
2016
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Simone Biles of the United States celebrates winning the gold medal in the Women's Vault Final on Day 9 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Rio Olympic Arena on August 14, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
(Source: Alex Livesey/Getty Images South America)
Gallery of Simone Biles
2016
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Gold medalist Simone Biles (C) of the United States stands on the podium for the national anthem at the medal ceremony for the Women's Individual All Around on Day 6 of the 2016 Rio Olympics at Rio Olympic Arena on August 11, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
(Source: Alex Livesey/Getty Images South America)
Gallery of Simone Biles
2016
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Simone Biles (1st R) of the United States waves to fans on the podium at the medal ceremony for the Artistic Gymnastics Women's Team on Day 4 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Rio Olympic Arena on August 9, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
(Source: David Ramos/Getty Images South America)
Gallery of Simone Biles
2016
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Simone Biles (C) of the United States is congratulated by her team mates after competing on the floor during the Artistic Gymnastics Women's Team Final on Day 4 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Rio Olympic Arena on August 9, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
(Source: Lars Baron/Getty Images South America)
Gallery of Simone Biles
2016
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Simone Biles of the United States competes on the balance beam during Women's qualification for Artistic Gymnastics on Day 2 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Rio Olympic Arena on August 7, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
(Source: Tom Pennington/Getty Images South America)
Gallery of Simone Biles
2016
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Simone Biles of the United States smiles after the vault apparatus during Women's qualification for Artistic Gymnastics on Day 2 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Rio Olympic Arena on August 7, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
(Source: Tom Pennington/Getty Images South America)
Gallery of Simone Biles
2016
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Aly Raisman and Simone Biles look on during an artistic gymnastics training session on August 4, 2016 at the Arena Olimpica do Rio in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
(Source: Alex Livesey/Getty Images South America)
Gallery of Simone Biles
2016
1 S Compton Ave, St. Louis, MO 63103, USA
Aly Raisman, Simone Biles and Lauren Hernandez acknowledge the crowd after second, first and third in the 2016 P&G Gymnastics Championships at Chafitz Arena on June 26, 2016 in St. Louis, Missouri.
(June 25, 2016 - Source: Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images North America)
Gallery of Simone Biles
2016
1 S Compton Ave, St. Louis, MO 63103, USA
Simone Biles competes in the floor exercise during day two of the 2016 P&G Gymnastics Championships at Chafitz Arena on June 26, 2016 in St. Louis, Missouri.
(June 25, 2016 - Source: Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images North America)
Gallery of Simone Biles
2016
New York City, United States
Members of Team USA, Gabby Douglas, Simone Biles and Ryan Lochte visit NBC's TODAY Show during their Road to Rio Tour presented by Liberty Mutual on April 27, 2016 in New York City. The event marks 100 days until the Opening Ceremony of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
(April 26, 2016 - Source: Mike Stobe/Getty Images North America)
Gallery of Simone Biles
2016
9876 Wilshire Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90210, USA
Gymnast Simone Biles addresses the media at the USOC Olympic Media Summit at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on March 7, 2016 in Beverly Hills, California.
(March 6, 2016 - Source: Todd Warshaw/Getty Images North America)
Gallery of Simone Biles
2016
9876 Wilshire Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90210, USA
A special effects camera filter was used for this image.). Gymnast Maggie Nichols and gymnast Simone Biles holds up the name card for Nichols before they pose for a portrait at the 2016 Team USA Media Summit at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on March 7, 2016 in Beverly Hills, California.
(March 6, 2016 - Source: Harry How/Getty Images North America)
Gallery of Simone Biles
2016
9876 Wilshire Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90210, USA
Gymnast Simone Biles poses for a portrait at the 2016 Team USA Media Summit at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on March 7, 2016 in Beverly Hills, California.
(March 6, 2016 - Source: Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images North America)
Gallery of Simone Biles
2017
NRG Pkwy, Houston, TX 77054, USA
Honorary Houston Texans cheerleader and Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles performs with the cheerleaders during the game against the San Francisco 49ers at NRG Stadium on December 10, 2017 in Houston, Texas.
(Source: Bob Levey/Getty Images North America)
Gallery of Simone Biles
2017
1335 6th Ave, New York, NY 10019, USA
GSLD Honoree Simone Biles speaks onstage at the 32nd Annual Great Sports Legends Dinner To Benefit The Miami Project/Buoniconti Fund To Cure Paralysis at New York Hilton Midtown on September 25, 2017 in New York City.
(Source: Thos Robinson/Getty Images North America)
Gallery of Simone Biles
2017
301 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
Olympic gymnast Simone Biles accepts Favorite Female Athlete onstage during Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Sports Awards 2017 at Pauley Pavilion on July 13, 2017 in Los Angeles, California.
(July 12, 2017 - Source: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images North America)
Gallery of Simone Biles
2017
3800 W Alameda Ave Suite B Burbank, CA 91505 USA
GOOD MORNING AMERICA - The Season 24 cast of "Dancing with the Stars," is revealed live on "Good Morning America," Wednesday, March 1, 2017. "Good Morning America" airs MONDAY-FRIDAY (7-9am, ET) on the ABC Television Network. (Photo by Jeff Neira/ABC via Getty Images).
Gallery of Simone Biles
2018
100 Legends Way, Boston, MA 02114, USA
(L-R) Trinity Thomas (8th), Jade Carey (6th), Grace McCallum (4th), Morgan Hurd (silver), Simone Biles (gold), Riley McCusker (bronze), Shilese Jones (5th), and Kara Eaker (7th) pose during the Women's Senior All-Around medal ceremony on day four of the U.S. Gymnastics Championships 2018 at TD Garden on August 19, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts.
(Source: Tim Bradbury/Getty Images North America)
Gallery of Simone Biles
2018
100 Legends Way, Boston, MA 02114, USA
Simone Biles competes on the balance beam during Day 2 of the U.S. Gymnastics Championships 2018 at TD Garden on August 17, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts.
(Source: Maddie Meyer/Getty Images North America)
Achievements
Simone Biles
Membership
Awards
World Artistic Gymnastics Championship Silver Medal
2013
Antwerpen, Belgium
October 6, 2013: 16-year-old Simone Biles of Team USA after winning the gold medal in the floor exercise final of the Artistic Gymnastics World Championships held at the Antwerp Sports Palace in Antwerpen, Belgium. Biles beat a field of Olympians to win the world all-around title in her first major international meet. (Dean Mouhtaropoulos)
Olympic Games Gold Medal
Olympic Games Gold Medal
Olympic Games Bronze Medal
World Artistic Gymnastics Championship Gold Medal
World Artistic Gymnastics Championship Gold Medal
World Artistic Gymnastics Championship Gold Medal
World Artistic Gymnastics Championship Gold Medal
World Artistic Gymnastics Championship Bronze Medal
World Artistic Gymnastics Championship Bronze Medal
World Artistic Gymnastics Championship Slver Medal
World Artistic Gymnastics Championship Silver Medal
World Artistic Gymnastics Championship Bronze Medal
Pacific Rim Gymnastics Championships Gold Medal
Best Female Athlete ESPY Award
Laureus World Sports Award for Sportswoman of the Year
October 6, 2013: 16-year-old Simone Biles of Team USA after winning the gold medal in the floor exercise final of the Artistic Gymnastics World Championships held at the Antwerp Sports Palace in Antwerpen, Belgium. Biles beat a field of Olympians to win the world all-around title in her first major international meet. (Dean Mouhtaropoulos)
(L-R) Kyla Ross (silver medal) of USA, Simone Biles (gold medal) of USA and Aliya Mustafina (bronze medal) of Russia pose after the Womens All-Round Final on Day Five of the Artistic Gymnastics World Championships Belgium 2013 held at the Antwerp Sports Palace on October 4, 2013 in Antwerpen, Belgium.
(Source: Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images Europe)
Simone Biles of USA competes in the Womens Uneven Bars Qualification on Day Three of the Artistic Gymnastics World Championships Belgium 2013 held at the Antwerp Sports Palace on October 2, 2013 in Antwerpen, Belgium.
(Source: Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images Europe)
Simone Biles (L) and Nastia Liukin during the Women’s Sports Foundation’s 35th Annual Salute to Women In Sports awards, a celebration and a fundraiser to ensure more girls and women have access to sports at Cipriani Wall Street on October 15, 2014 in New York City.
(Source: Mike Coppola/Getty Images North America)
Simone Biles poses on stage at the 35th Annual Salute To Women In Sports event at Cipriani Wall Street on October 15, 2014 in New York City.
(Source: Michael Loccisano/Getty Images North America)
Simone Biles of United States performs on the Balance Beam during the Women's Balance Beam Final on day six of the 45th Artistic Gymnastics World Championships at Guangxi Sports Center Stadium on October 12, 2014 in Nanning, China.
(Source: Lintao Zhang/Getty Images AsiaPac)
Simone Biles of the United States performs on the Balance Beam during the Women's Team Final on day two of the 45th Artistic Gymnastics World Championships at Guangxi Sports Center Stadium on October 8, 2014 in Nanning, China.
(Source: Lintao Zhang/Getty Images AsiaPac)
Simone Biles competes on the floor exercise in the senior women finals during the 2014 P&G Gymnastics Championships at Consol Energy Center on August 23, 2014 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
(Source: Jared Wickerham/Getty Images North America)
Simone Biles competes on the balance beam in the senior women finals during the 2014 P&G Gymnastics Championships at Consol Energy Center on August 23, 2014 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
(Source: Jared Wickerham/Getty Images North America
Gymnasts Gabby Douglas and Simone Biles pose for a portrait at the USOC Rio Olympics Shoot at Quixote Studios on November 20, 2015 in Los Angeles, California.
(Source: Harry How/Getty Images North America)
Simone Biles of the U.S. celebrates with team mate Gabriella Douglasl during day seven of World Artistic Gymnastics Championships at The SSE Hydro on October 29, 2015 in Glasgow, Scotland.
(Source: Ian MacNicol/Getty Images Europe)
Simone Biles of United States poses with her Gold medal in the Hall of Champions during day seven of World Artistic Gymnastics Championships at The SSE Hydro on October 29, 2015 in Glasgow, Scotland.
(Source: Ian MacNicol/Getty Images Europe)
Simone Biles of USA competes on the Beam during the All-Around Final on day seven of the 2015 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships at The SSE Hydro on October 29, 2015 in Glasgow, Scotland.
(Source: Alex Livesey/Getty Images Europe)
Simone Biles of USA competes in the Beam during Day 5 of the 2015 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships at The SSE Hydro on October 27, 2015 in Glasgow, Scotland.
(Source: Alex Livesey/Getty Images Europe)
Simone Biles of USA competes on the floor during Day Two of the 2015 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships at The SSE Hydro on October 24, 2015 in Glasgow, Scotland.
(Source: Alex Livesey/Getty Images Europe)
125 S Pennsylvania St, Indianapolis, IN 46204, USA
Simone Biles with coach Aimee Boorman during the women's finals of the 2015 P&G Gymnastics Championships at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on August 15, 2015 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
(Source: Getty Images North America)
125 S Pennsylvania St, Indianapolis, IN 46204, USA
Simone Biles competes in the women's finals of the 2015 P&G Gymnastics Championships at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on August 15, 2015 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
(Source: Joe Robbins/Getty Images North America)
125 S Pennsylvania St, Indianapolis, IN 46204, USA
Simone Biles waves to the crowd after finishing first in the overall standings of the women's finals of the 2015 P&G Gymnastics Championships at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on August 15, 2015 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
(Source: Joe Robbins/Getty Images North America)
Honoree Simone Biles speaks onstage during The Hollywood Reporter's Annual Women in Entertainment Breakfast in Los Angeles at Milk Studios on December 7, 2016 in Hollywood, California.
(Source: Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images North America)
(L-R) Front Row: Honorees Tatyana McFadden and Simone Biles. (L-R) Back Row: Honorees Dr. Vanessa Kerry, founder/CEO of Code to Inspire Fereshteh Forough, Marie Claire' Editor-in-Chief Anne Fulenwider, honorees Madison Maxey, Sabrina Gonzalez Pasterski, actress Gina Rodriguez, honorees Amanda Nguyen and Jessica O. Matthews attend Marie Claire Young Women's Honors presented by Clinique at Marina del Rey Marriott on November 19, 2016 in Marina del Rey, California.
(Source: Rich Polk/Getty Images North America)
1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20500, USA
U.S. President Barack Obama hugs Olympian Simone Biles during an East Room event at the White House September 29, 2016 in Washington, DC. President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama welcome the 2016 U.S. Olympic and Paralympic teams to the White House to honor their participation and success in the Rio Olympic Games this year.
(Source: Elsa/Getty Images North America)
1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20500, USA
U.S. President Barack Obam (R) is presented with a Team USA surfboard by Olympian Simone Biles (L) as first lady Michelle Obama (2nd L) looks on during an East Room event at the White House September 29, 2016 in Washington, DC. President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama welcome the 2016 U.S. Olympic and Paralympic teams to the White House to honor their participation and success in the Rio Olympic Games this year.
(Source: Alex Wong/Getty Images North America
1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20500, USA
U.S. President Barack Obam (R) is presented with a Team USA surfboard by Olympian Simone Biles (2nd L) as first lady Michelle Obama (L) looks on during an East Room event at the White House September 29, 2016 in Washington, DC. President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama welcome the 2016 U.S. Olympic and Paralympic teams to the White House to honor their participation and success in the Rio Olympic Games this year.
(Source: Alex Wong/Getty Images North America)
(L-R) Simone Biles and Maria Sharapova attend the Vera Wang Collection fashion show during New York Fashion Week: The Shows at The Arc, Skylight at Moynihan Station on September 13, 2016 in New York City.
(Source: Larry Busacca/Getty Images North America)
(L-R) Cynthia Erivo, Simone Biles, Anna Wintour and Maria Sharapova attend the Vera Wang Collection fashion show during New York Fashion Week: The Shows at The Arc, Skylight at Moynihan Station on September 13, 2016 in New York City.
(Source: Larry Busacca/Getty Images North America)
(R-L) Olympic gymnasts Aly Raisman, Madison Kocian, Laurie Hernandez and Simone Biles attend the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards at Madison Square Garden on August 28, 2016 in New York City.
(Source: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images North America)
Flag bearer Simone Biles of United States participates during the "Heroes of the Games" segment during the Closing Ceremony on Day 16 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Maracana Stadium on August 21, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
(Source: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images South America)
Simone Biles of the United States competes on the Women's Floor final on Day 11 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Rio Olympic Arena on August 16, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
(Source: Julian Finney/Getty Images South America)
Lauren Hernandez of the United States is congratulated by Simone Biles after competing in the Balance Beam Final on day 10 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Rio Olympic Arena on August 15, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
(Source: Lars Baron/Getty Images South America)
Simone Biles of the United States celebrates winning the gold medal in the Women's Vault Final on Day 9 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Rio Olympic Arena on August 14, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
(Source: Alex Livesey/Getty Images South America)
Gold medalist Simone Biles (C) of the United States stands on the podium for the national anthem at the medal ceremony for the Women's Individual All Around on Day 6 of the 2016 Rio Olympics at Rio Olympic Arena on August 11, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
(Source: Alex Livesey/Getty Images South America)
Simone Biles (1st R) of the United States waves to fans on the podium at the medal ceremony for the Artistic Gymnastics Women's Team on Day 4 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Rio Olympic Arena on August 9, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
(Source: David Ramos/Getty Images South America)
Simone Biles (C) of the United States is congratulated by her team mates after competing on the floor during the Artistic Gymnastics Women's Team Final on Day 4 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Rio Olympic Arena on August 9, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
(Source: Lars Baron/Getty Images South America)
Simone Biles of the United States competes on the balance beam during Women's qualification for Artistic Gymnastics on Day 2 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Rio Olympic Arena on August 7, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
(Source: Tom Pennington/Getty Images South America)
Simone Biles of the United States smiles after the vault apparatus during Women's qualification for Artistic Gymnastics on Day 2 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Rio Olympic Arena on August 7, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
(Source: Tom Pennington/Getty Images South America)
Aly Raisman and Simone Biles look on during an artistic gymnastics training session on August 4, 2016 at the Arena Olimpica do Rio in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
(Source: Alex Livesey/Getty Images South America)
Aly Raisman, Simone Biles and Lauren Hernandez acknowledge the crowd after second, first and third in the 2016 P&G Gymnastics Championships at Chafitz Arena on June 26, 2016 in St. Louis, Missouri.
(June 25, 2016 - Source: Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images North America)
Simone Biles competes in the floor exercise during day two of the 2016 P&G Gymnastics Championships at Chafitz Arena on June 26, 2016 in St. Louis, Missouri.
(June 25, 2016 - Source: Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images North America)
Members of Team USA, Gabby Douglas, Simone Biles and Ryan Lochte visit NBC's TODAY Show during their Road to Rio Tour presented by Liberty Mutual on April 27, 2016 in New York City. The event marks 100 days until the Opening Ceremony of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
(April 26, 2016 - Source: Mike Stobe/Getty Images North America)
Gymnast Simone Biles addresses the media at the USOC Olympic Media Summit at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on March 7, 2016 in Beverly Hills, California.
(March 6, 2016 - Source: Todd Warshaw/Getty Images North America)
A special effects camera filter was used for this image.). Gymnast Maggie Nichols and gymnast Simone Biles holds up the name card for Nichols before they pose for a portrait at the 2016 Team USA Media Summit at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on March 7, 2016 in Beverly Hills, California.
(March 6, 2016 - Source: Harry How/Getty Images North America)
Gymnast Simone Biles poses for a portrait at the 2016 Team USA Media Summit at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on March 7, 2016 in Beverly Hills, California.
(March 6, 2016 - Source: Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images North America)
Honorary Houston Texans cheerleader and Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles performs with the cheerleaders during the game against the San Francisco 49ers at NRG Stadium on December 10, 2017 in Houston, Texas.
(Source: Bob Levey/Getty Images North America)
GSLD Honoree Simone Biles speaks onstage at the 32nd Annual Great Sports Legends Dinner To Benefit The Miami Project/Buoniconti Fund To Cure Paralysis at New York Hilton Midtown on September 25, 2017 in New York City.
(Source: Thos Robinson/Getty Images North America)
Olympic gymnast Simone Biles accepts Favorite Female Athlete onstage during Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Sports Awards 2017 at Pauley Pavilion on July 13, 2017 in Los Angeles, California.
(July 12, 2017 - Source: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images North America)
GOOD MORNING AMERICA - The Season 24 cast of "Dancing with the Stars," is revealed live on "Good Morning America," Wednesday, March 1, 2017. "Good Morning America" airs MONDAY-FRIDAY (7-9am, ET) on the ABC Television Network. (Photo by Jeff Neira/ABC via Getty Images).
(L-R) Trinity Thomas (8th), Jade Carey (6th), Grace McCallum (4th), Morgan Hurd (silver), Simone Biles (gold), Riley McCusker (bronze), Shilese Jones (5th), and Kara Eaker (7th) pose during the Women's Senior All-Around medal ceremony on day four of the U.S. Gymnastics Championships 2018 at TD Garden on August 19, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts.
(Source: Tim Bradbury/Getty Images North America)
Simone Biles competes on the balance beam during Day 2 of the U.S. Gymnastics Championships 2018 at TD Garden on August 17, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts.
(Source: Maddie Meyer/Getty Images North America)
Courage to Soar: A Body in Motion, A Life in Balance
(Simone Biles’ entrance into the world of gymnastics may h...)
Simone Biles’ entrance into the world of gymnastics may have started on a daycare field trip in her hometown of Spring, Texas, but her God-given talent, passion, and perseverance have made her one of the top gymnasts in the world, as well as a four-time winner of Olympic gold in Rio de Janeiro. But there is more to Simone than the nineteen medals—fourteen of them gold—and the Olympic successes. Through years of hard work and determination, she has relied on her faith and family to stay focused and positive, while having fun competing at the highest level and doing what she loves. Here, in her own words, Simone takes you through the events, challenges, and trials that carried her from an early childhood in foster care to a coveted spot on the 2016 Olympic team. Along the way, Simone shares the details of her inspiring personal story—one filled with the kinds of daily acts of courage that led her, and can lead you, to even the most unlikely of dreams.
Simone Biles, in full Simone Arianne Biles, is an American gymnast who was considered one of the sport’s greatest athletes. At the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, she became the first female U.S. gymnast to win four gold medals at a single Games, and she was the first gymnast to win three consecutive world all-around titles (2013–15).
Background
Ethnicity:
Simone has African American ancestry on both of her biological parent's side.
Simone Arianne Biles was born on March 14, 1997, in Columbus, Ohio, the third of four siblings. Her birth mother, Shanon Biles, was unable to care for Biles or her other children – Ashley, Tevin, and Adria – due to her drug and alcohol addiction, so the children were in and out of foster care. Biles' birth father, Kelvin Clemons, abandoned his family, struggled with addictions, and was never present in his daughter's life. Shanon's father, Ron, and his second wife, Nellie Cayetano Biles, who had two nearly-adult sons, Ron Jr. and Adam, began temporarily caring for Shanon's children in 2000, in the north Houston suburb of Spring, Texas after finding out his grandchildren got placed into foster care. In 2003, the couple officially adopted the two youngest children, Simone and Adria, and Ron's sister Harriet, adopted the two oldest. Biles holds a Belize citizenship through her mother and she refers to Belize as being her second home.
Education
In 2012, Biles switched from public school to home schooling and the change allowed her to increase her training from approximately 20 hours a week to 32 which led to her improved success during the 2012 season. Biles spent all her secondary education as a homeschooler and graduated in the summer of 2015.
Biles verbally committed to UCLA on August 4, 2014, announcing her decision on Twitter. She planned to defer enrollment until after the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. On July 29, 2015, she announced that she would turn professional, forfeiting her NCAA eligibility to compete for UCLA. In January 2018, it was announced that Biles had enrolled at the University of the People to study business administration and become the university's brand ambassador.
Simone became interested in gymnastics at age six during a day-care field trip to Bannon’s Gymnastix, and she remained there for 11 years under the direction of her coach, Aimee Boorman. Simone Biles began competing as a level 8 gymnast in 2007, and by 2011 she had cemented her standing at the junior elite level. That year, she took the top spot in the vault and balance beam events and finished third in the all-around at the American Classic. She followed with an impressive series of showings in 2012, winning the vault and the all-around events at the American Classic, the Alamo Classic, the Houston National Invitational and the Secret U.S. Classic.
Biles soon emerged as a force to be reckoned with at the senior elite level, bursting into the spotlight as the all-around winner at the 2013 U.S. P&G Championships. Also that year, she delivered a historic showing at the World Championships by becoming the first female African-American athlete to win gold in the all-around.
Biles continued to build on her successes in 2014, again taking the U.S. and world titles in the all-around competition. She also won gold in the vault, floor exercise, balance beam and all-around at the Secret U.S. Classic that same year. During her floor routines, Biles often executed what has become her signature move: a double-flip with a half-twist.
In 2015, Biles became the first woman to win her third consecutive world all-around title, giving her a record 10 gold medals at the international competition. Considered one of the country’s top Olympic hopefuls, she then resumed training for Rio 2016 at World Champions Centre, which is owned by her family, in Spring, Texas. In July 2016, Biles wowed gymnastics fans with an impressive performance, winning the all-around title and first in the floor exercise and vault. She earned a spot on the 2016 Olympic team along with fellow gymnasts Laurie Hernandez, Aly Raisman, Gabby Douglas, and Madison Kocian.
On August 9, 2016, Biles led the U.S. women’s gymnastics team to win the gold. She earned an impressive 15.933 in the vault, a 15.3 on balance beam, and 15.8 for a crowd-pleasing floor routine in which she performed “the Biles,” her signature move comprised of a double layout with a half twist. The powerhouse gymnast shared the victory with Raisman, Douglas, Hernandez and Kocian, a team which calls themselves “The Final Five.” The Final Five are the third American women’s gymnastic team to win gold, following team victories in 1996 and 2012. After taking the team gold, Biles tweeted “dreams DO come true” and a photo of the U.S. team on the medal podium.
Biles continued to dominate the Olympic competition, winning the women's individual all-around gold medal. U.S. teammate Aly Raisman and Russian gymnast Aliya Mustafina won silver and bronze, respectively. What made Biles' victory truly historical was that she achieved a 2.1 margin of victory over Raisman — a lead that was larger than any gymnast from 1980 to 2012 combined. She also became the first woman in two decades to win back-to-back Olympic all-around and world titles.
She went on to win gold again in the women's individual vault competition with a score of 15.966, but faltered in the individual balance beam event. In a rare stumble, Biles fought to maintain her balance, scoring 14.733, which earned her the bronze medal. Teammate Laurie Hernandez landed the silver medal, and Sanne Wevers of the Netherlands won gold.
Biles continued her Olympic run in the individual floor exercise, taking the gold in a brilliant performance, which incorporated her signature move "the Biles," a double layout with a half-twist and blind landing. With a score of 15.966, Biles earned her fourth gold medal in Rio. Biles joined only three other gymnasts who have won four gold medals in a single Olympic Games — Larisa Latynina of the Soviet Union in 1956, Vera Caslavska of Czechoslovakia in 1968 and Ecaterina Szabo of Romania in 1984. Biles's teammate Raisman took the silver in the floor exercise and Amy Tinkler of Great Britain won bronze.
In 2017, Biles joined the cast of the 24th season of Dancing with the Stars, on which she was paired with pro Sasha Farber. Despite impressing the judges with her moves, the Olympic champion was eliminated during the semifinals in May.
After taking much of 2017 off, Biles returned to intensive training and resumed her place at the top of her sport. In August 2018, she swept all four events at the U.S. Gymnastics Championships to win the competition by a whopping 6.55 points and become the first woman to claim five national all-around titles.
Simone Biles is an American artistic gymnast who is well-known for her individual gold medal at the 2016 Olympic Games held at Rio de Janeiro. She is an artistic gymnast and typically excels at the all-round, floor, and vault gymnastics. Simone Biles has been a world champion in all the three for several years. She has won around 19 Olympic and World Championship medals in all, making her the most celebrated American gymnast. She has a record for the most gold medals won by an American woman at a single Olympic Games. She is only the 6th woman to win the Olympics medal and the World Championship medal in all round individual title.
Biles was named Team USA Female Olympic Athlete of the Year in December 2015, making her the fourth gymnast to win the honor. In December 2016, Biles was chosen as one of the sponsors of the US Navy aircraft carrier USS Enterprise alongside swimmer Katie Ledecky. They are the first Olympians to be given this honor. In 2016, Simone Biles won the Glamour Award for the Record Breaker. In 2016, she was chosen as one of BBC's 100 Women, and after the world championships, she was named one of ESPNW's Impact 25 and chosen as Sportswoman of the Year by the Women's Sports Foundation. She was also one of the finalists for Time magazine's 2016 Person of the Year. Biles was also nominated for a 2016 ESPY award for Best Female Athlete along with Elena Delle Donne, Katie Ledecky, and Breanna Stewart; Stewart won the award. In July 2017, Biles won the ESPY Award for Best Female Athlete. She is the second gymnast to win this award after Nastia Liukin won it in 2009. In 2017, Simone won the Shorty Awards for the best in sports. At the 2017 Teen Choice Awards, Simone won favorite female athlete, and won Laureus World Sports Award for Sportswoman of the Year in 2017. Simone Biles was named one of the most influential people in the World list by Time Magazine. In May 2018, it was announced that Biles and the other survivors would be awarded the Arthur Ashe Courage Award. In December, it was announced that Biles was named ESPN The Magazine's most dominant athlete of 2018.
(Simone Biles’ entrance into the world of gymnastics may h...)
2016
Religion
Religiously, Biles and her family practice Catholicism.
Politics
Simone Biles, who was critical of a tweet in which new USA Gymnastics CEO and former congresswoman Mary Bono mixed politics with sports, said Monday the two should remain separate issues as USA Gymnastics works to repairs its tattered public image.
Biles reacted strongly to a tweet in which Bono, a Republican who served 15 years in Congress, appeared to be critical of Nike’s relationship with activist and former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick by showing someone inking out the logo on a Nike golf shoe.
Views
In January 2018, Biles revealed on Twitter that she was one of the many young women who had been molested by former USA Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar.
"Please believe me when I say it was a lot harder to first speak those words out loud than it is now to put them on paper," she wrote. "For too long I’ve asked myself, 'Was I too naive? Was it my fault?' I now know the answers to those questions. No. No, it was not my fault. No, I will not and should not carry the guilt that belongs to Larry Nassar, USAG, and others."
Nassar had recently been sentenced to 60 years in prison on child pornography charges and 25 to 40 years in prison for criminal sexual conduct.
Quotations:
"If you're having fun, that's when the best memories are built."
"I was missing out on public school and going to the football games, prom or homecomings. But I've been to three World Championships ... so I think it's like a win-win."
"I take things one step at a time."
"A successful competition for me is always going out there and putting 100 percent into whatever I'm doing."
"I'd rather regret the risks that didn't work out than the chances I didn't take at all."
"I plan on doing things that I can't do because of gym right now. ... Things like going swimming with sharks or jumping off a cliff into water.""I was built this way for a reason, so I'm going to use it."
"To go out there and prove what I can do has taught me a lot about who I am."
"I wasn't born earlier, so I had no say in that!"
"We can push ourselves further. We always have more to give."
"It's inspiring to young athletes that there are more records that can still be broken."
"The team comes first."
Personality
Simone Biles is fun, happy, smiley and giggly. She has a celebrity crush on Zac Efron. Her favorite color is purple.
Physical Characteristics:
Height - 4 ft 8 in or 142 cm
Weight - 46 kg or 101.5 lbs
Hair color - black
Eye color - dark brown
Measurements - 35-24-34 in or 89-61-86 cm
Dress size - 8 (US) or 40 (EU)
Distinctive features - short height, broad smile
Bra size - 34A
Shoe size - 5 (US) or 35.5 (US)
In 2016, she took to Twitter to reveal that she suffers from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and had been issued Therapeutic Use Exemption to take medication for it.
Interests
Favorite TV Shows – Pretty Little Liars, Beverly Hills, 90210
In August 2017, Biles announced that she was in a relationship with Stacey Ervin Jr. who is director and head coach at the World Champions Centre. Together the couple adopted a French bulldog named Lilo.
Father:
Ronald Biles
He adopted Simone at the age of 6 in 2001. The gymnast considers him to be her father.
Mother:
Nellie Biles
She adopted Simone at the age of 6 and the gymnast eventually started calling her mom.
Biological mother:
Shanon Biles
biological father:
Kelvin Clemons
grandmother:
Evarista Cayetano
Grandfather:
Silas Cayetano
Sister:
Adria Biles
She is also a competitive gymnast.
Brother:
Ron Biles Jr.
Brother:
Adam Biles
Sister:
Ashley Biles Thomas
Boyfriend :
Stacey Ervin Jr
Head coach:
Laurent Landi
(born 18 October 1977)
She is a French-American artistic gymnastics coach and retired gymnast. He was formerly a coach at the World Olympic Gymnastics Academy until 2017, when he began working at the World Champions Centre as the Women's Team director as well as serving as the head coach to Simone Biles.
Former coach:
Aimee Boorman
(March 27, 1973, Chicago, Illinois, United States)
She is an American artistic gymnastics coach. She was the head coach for 2013, 2014, and 2015 world champion, and 2016 Olympic All-Around gold medalist Simone Biles.
colleague:
Dominic Zito
(born June 13, 1982)
He is an American choreographer. He is the National Team choreographer for USA Gymnastics and has worked with gymnasts, including Olympians, such as Jordyn Wieber, Kyla Ross, Gabby Douglas, Simone Biles, Dominique Moceanu and Elise Ray.
