Simone Biles

Simone Arianne Biles, born March 14, 1997, in Columbus, Ohio, is widely regarded as the greatest gymnast of all time. Raised by her grandparents in Texas after spending time in foster care, Biles discovered gymnastics at age six during a daycare field trip. Her natural talent was immediately evident, and she began training seriously at Bannon's Gymnastix in Houston. Despite her relatively late start compared to many elite gymnasts, Biles' explosive power, incredible air awareness, and exceptional work ethic propelled her to the top of the sport. Standing just 4'8", Biles generates extraordinary power-to-weight ratio, allowing her to perform skills that were previously thought impossible.

Biles made her senior international debut in 2013 at age 16 and immediately dominated, winning the all-around title at her first World Championships. From 2013 to 2019, she was virtually unbeatable in major competitions, winning five World all-around titles and 19 World Championship gold medals overall. At the 2016 Rio Olympics, Biles won four gold medals (team, all-around, vault, floor exercise) and one bronze (balance beam), cementing her status as the face of gymnastics. Her signature moves, including the "Biles" on floor exercise (a double layout with a half twist) and the "Biles II" on floor (a triple-double), are so difficult that they're named after her in the sport's Code of Points.

What sets Biles apart isn't just her medal count or difficulty scores—it's the combination of extreme difficulty with exceptional execution. She consistently performs the hardest routines in the world while maintaining near-perfect form, landings, and artistry. Biles has five skills named after her across different apparatus, more than any other gymnast currently competing. Her dominance has been so complete that she often wins competitions by margins rarely seen in elite gymnastics. Beyond her technical abilities, Biles' charisma, confidence, and joy in performing have made her a global superstar who transcends her sport.

At the Tokyo 2020 Olympics (held in 2021), Biles made headlines for prioritizing her mental health and withdrawing from several events after experiencing "the twisties"—a dangerous condition where gymnasts lose spatial awareness mid-air. Her decision sparked global conversations about athlete mental health and the immense pressure on elite competitors. She returned to win bronze on balance beam, showing her resilience. Biles came back stronger at the 2023 World Championships, winning four more gold medals and proving she remains the world's best gymnast. Beyond gymnastics, she has become an advocate for foster children, mental health awareness, and survivors of sexual abuse (she is a survivor of abuse by former USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar). Simone Biles' impact extends far beyond her 37 Olympic and World Championship medals—she changed what's possible in gymnastics and used her platform to advocate for important causes affecting athletes worldwide.