Simone Biles: The Greatest Gymnast of All Time
Many people think that Simone Arianne Biles, who was born on March 14, 1997, in Columbus, Ohio, is the best gymnast of all time. Her unmatched athleticism, mental strength, and groundbreaking work in gymnastics have changed the sport and inspired millions of people around the world. Biles has been a professional for more than ten years. She has won more medals than anyone else, broken stereotypes, and spoken out for mental health. These things have made her a global icon.
Early Life and Rise to Fame
Simone Biles grew up in Spring, Texas, with her grandparents, Nellie and Ronald Biles. Before that, she lived in foster care. A field trip to a gymnastics center when she was six years old got her interested in the sport. It was clear that she had a lot of natural talent, and with the help of coach Aimee Boorman, Biles quickly moved up the ranks. By 2011, when she was only 14 years old, she had already competed in her first national championships. This was the start of a prodigy.
Biles won her first all-around title at the U.S. National Championships in 2013. She also made her international debut at the World Championships in Antwerp, Belgium, where she won two gold medals, one in the all-around. At 4 feet 8 inches tall, her explosive power, accuracy, and charm wowed audiences and set the stage for her to be the best.
Olympic Dominance and Historic Successes
Biles became famous at the 2016 Rio Olympics, where she won four gold medals (team, all-around, vault, and floor exercise) and a bronze medal on the balance beam. Her performances showed off skills that defied gravity, like the “Biles,” a double layout with a half-twist on the floor that was named after her. She was the first American gymnast to win four gold medals in one Olympics, which made her famous around the world.
At the 2020 Tokyo Olympics (held in 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic), Biles had to deal with problems she had never faced before. She dropped out of most of her events because she was worried about her mental health and “twisties,” a dangerous condition that makes gymnasts lose track of where they are in the air. Her choice to put her health first started a worldwide conversation about mental health in sports. She came back from the setback to win a silver medal in the team event and a bronze medal on the balance beam, bringing her total number of Olympic medals to seven (four gold, one silver, and two bronze).
Biles had already competed in three Olympics by 2025. The 2024 Paris Games were the last one, and they helped her legacy even more. She won three gold medals in Paris (team, all-around, and vault) and a silver medal on the floor. This brought her total number of Olympic and World Championship medals to 38, which is the most by any gymnast in history. Her routines included four signature skills that were named after her in the gymnastics Code of Points, which shows how creative she was.
Pushing through barriers and calling for change
Biles has been a strong voice for change in addition to being a great athlete. She has faced racism and stereotypes head-on as a Black woman in a sport that is mostly white. This has inspired a new generation of gymnasts from different backgrounds. In 2021, she told the U.S. Senate about the systemic problems that let former USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar sexually abuse hundreds of athletes, including herself. Her bravery in speaking out made more people call for accountability and change in the sport.
Biles has also spoken out a lot about mental health and how important it is to take care of yourself when you’re under a lot of stress. Her honesty about her mental health problems has made them less taboo and encouraged athletes from all sports to put their health first.
Life and Legacy
Biles married NFL player Jonathan Owens in 2023, and people have admired their relationship ever since. Biles is still relatable even though she is a superstar. She is known for her infectious smile and down-to-earth personality. She has used her platform to encourage body positivity, self-confidence, and resilience, especially among young women and athletes of color.
Biles is still competing at an elite level as of October 2025, which is surprising in a sport where careers are often short-lived. Her influence goes beyond gymnastics; she has changed what it means to be a champion by combining athletic excellence with bravery, vulnerability, and advocacy.
Conclusion
Simone Biles is more than just a gymnast; she is a cultural icon who has changed her sport and made a real difference. She is the GOAT (Greatest of All Time) because of her record-breaking accomplishments, creative skills, and unwavering dedication to being real. Biles keeps inspiring people all over the world to reach new heights, whether she’s flipping through the air or standing up for justice.