Simone Biles

Simone Biles is recognized as the most decorated gymnast in history, with 41 Olympic and World Championship medals. Biles holds 11 Olympic medals, including seven golds, and 30 World Championship medals, 23 of which are gold. At the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Biles became the first female U.S. gymnast to win four gold medals at a single Games and later became the first gymnast to win six world all-around titles. She is also the first female gymnast to win three consecutive World All-Around titles, the first female African American all-around World Champion, and the first U.S. gymnast of any gender to win a World medal in every event.

Biles has pioneered several innovative and highly difficult moves in artistic gymnastics, many of which bear her name. She has consistently pushed the boundaries in vault, uneven bars, balance beam, and floor exercise, setting numerous records in the sport. Her career gained momentum after winning the U.S. and World Championships all-around titles in her first year at the senior elite level. At the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Antwerp, Belgium, Biles secured her 21st world championship gold medal and her sixth all-around title, surpassing Vitaly Scherbo's record to become the most decorated gymnast, male or female, in the combined history of the Olympics and World Championships.

Biles's career has also been marked by her advocacy for mental health awareness. She brought global attention to the pressures faced by elite athletes when she withdrew from the Olympic Games in Tokyo, citing mental health concerns. Her openness about experiencing the "twisties," a disorienting mental block during aerial maneuvers, contributed to broader conversations about athlete well-being. Biles has continued to share her experiences to encourage others to speak openly about mental health. Her autobiography, "Courage to Soar," details her journey, including the roles of faith, family, and perseverance in her success.

Upon returning to the Olympic stage in Paris, Biles won three gold medals—in team, all-around, and vault—and one silver medal in floor exercise. At the Paris Games, she performed the Biles, a double pike vault skill named after her, earning her 10th overall Olympic medal. In recognition of her athletic achievements and advocacy, Biles received the U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Biles has been named Sportsperson of the Year by Sports Illustrated and has won the Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year award multiple times. She has influenced a new generation of athletes and has played a significant role in breaking down barriers for Black gymnasts worldwide. Biles's career encompasses athletic achievement, advocacy, and influence, making her a prominent figure in gymnastics and sports history.