Simone Biles is considered one of the greatest gymnasts of all time. Her great talent has combined with her determination and resilience. They have made her an inspiration to many. There are several reasons why she is widely celebrated.
Her Unmatched Skills and Dominance in Gymnastics
Biles possesses a level of gymnastic ability the sport has never seen before. With her power, control, and difficulty of routines, she has redefined what is possible in women’s gymnastics.
Pushing the Boundaries of the Sport
- Biles is the first woman to land some of the most challenging skills on floor exercise and beam. This includes a triple-twisting double tuck salto on the floor and a double-twisting double tuck salto dismount off the beam.
- She incorporated two original skills into her floor routine that now bear her name in the Code of Points: the Biles and the Biles II.
- The Biles involves a double layout half out and the Biles II is a double tuck with three twists. This demonstrates her ability to perform complex skills with ease.
Unparalleled Medal Count
- With 32 Olympic and World Championship medals, Biles is the most decorated American gymnast and the most decorated World Championships athlete, male or female.
- Her 19 gold World Championships medals are the most won by any gymnast.
- She has won every World Championships all-around competition she has entered since 2013.
| Competition | Gold Medals | Total Medals |
|---|---|---|
| Olympic Games | 4 | 7 |
| World Championships | 19 | 25 |
| Total | 23 | 32 |
Biles competes with a level of athleticism and skill so far above her rivals that it is pushing the boundaries of the sport.
Her Comeback Story from the 2021 Olympics
She withdrew from several event finals at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics to focus on her mental health. But, she made a triumphant return to win a bronze medal on the balance beam. She chose to prioritize her well-being. Her courage to return and compete under intense scrutiny resonated with many people.
Stepping Away to Protect Her Well-Being
- Biles withdrew during the team finals in Tokyo citing her struggle with “the twisties”, which impacted her sense of space awareness.
- She made the tough choice to not risk her safety or the team’s chances. She would do this by trying skills that could cause serious injury if she landed wrong.
- This brave choice put her mental health first, even when it meant giving up her chance to defend her gold medals in the 2016 Olympics.
Overcoming Adversity on Balance Beam
- A week after withdrawing, Biles returned to competition for the balance beam final, the last chance for a medal.
- While she had to water down her routine, her steady comeback performance was a testament to her courage.
- She not only overcame her struggle with the twisties, but she also overcame external pressure and internal doubt to make a return on her terms.
- Winning the bronze showed the world that when met with adversity, she can stand up again with resilience.
Her challenging journey at the 2021 Olympics revealed her persevering spirit and served as an inspiration.
Breaking Barriers and Being a Role Model
Simone Biles is a Black woman. She was raised by her grandfather in her early years. She has broken barriers throughout her career. She has been an inspiration, especially for Black and foster kids.
Breaking Barriers
- Biles made history when she won the all-around title at the 2013 World Championships. She became the first Black gymnast and the first American to win a world all-around title.
- As the most decorated gymnast, male or female, she has surpassed barrier after barrier.
- She competed so well. FIG had to add a new gymnastics difficulty score for her.
Role Model for Many
- Having grown up in foster care before being adopted by her grandparents, Biles serves as an inspiration for foster kids.
- As a young Black woman, she is also looked up to by Black kids as a role model and influencer.
- She uses her platform and influence to advocate for children. She focuses on those without families.
- Biles shows that children can overcome barriers and limitations to achieve with determination.
As she continues to be a groundbreaking gymnast, she motivates and uplifts several communities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions about celebrating Simone Biles:
1. Why do people consider Simone Biles the greatest gymnast ever?
She has 32 Olympic and World Championship medals. She also has jaw-dropping skills. She has shown gymnastic brilliance never seen before. That’s why people widely regard her as the greatest gymnast ever.
2. How did Simone Biles change the sport of gymnastics?
Biles pushed the sport’s boundaries. She added hard and complex skills to her routines. She included skills now named after her, like the Biles and Biles II. Her athletic abilities forced FIG to introduce a more difficult score to acknowledge her routines.
3. How was Simone Biles an inspiration at the Tokyo Olympics?
At Tokyo, Biles courageously withdrew. She cited mental health concerns. Her choice resonated with many for prioritizing her well-being. She then overcame adversity and external pressure to return on the beam and win bronze, showing her persevering spirit.
4. What barriers has Biles broken over her career?
As the first Black gymnast to win the World all-around title in 2013, Biles has broken barriers and made history. She surpassed every record to become the most decorated World Championship athlete ever, male or female with 19 golds and 32 total medals so far.
5. Who does Simone Biles serve as a role model for?
Biles grew up in foster care before being adopted. She inspires foster kids and children of colour. She motivates them to believe they can achieve great feats against the odds through determination.
6. Why did Biles withdraw during the 2021 Olympic team finals?
Biles made the hard choice to withdraw. She got lost in the air on a vault due to “the twisties”, a disorienting mental block. She stepped back to avoid risking her safety and the team’s success. The skills she avoided could cause serious injury if she landed wrong.
7. What skill did Biles downgrade her balance beam dismount to?
For the balance beam final, Biles downgraded her dismount. She went from a double-twisting double tuck to a double pike. She did this to remove twisting after struggling with the “twisties” at the Tokyo Olympics.
Conclusion
Simone Biles is widely celebrated for many reasons. She has gravity-defying gymnastic skills that changed the sport. She puts mental health first, which resonated globally. She dared to return and overcome adversity under pressure. Her barrier-breaking journey inspires young girls and foster children worldwide. Arguably the greatest gymnast of all time, Biles will keep inspiring generations. She does this with her excellence. She is determined in the face of challenges and brings light to the world.
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