Simone Biles Reflects on Her Journey After a Historic Victory in Paris
Following her historic win at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, Simone Biles shared a special moment on Instagram. On July 30, she posted a story featuring her father, Ronald Biles, watching her compete.
Simone affectionately referred to her father, who, along with his wife, adopted her, as “soooo freaking cute” with his binoculars. She was placed in foster care at the age of three, and her grandparents became her parents.
A Challenging Start: Simone’s Early Life
Simone Biles, the most decorated gymnast in American history, has been open about the difficulties she faced in her early years. She explained that her biological mother’s struggles with drug and alcohol addiction left her and her siblings—Adria, Tevin, and Ashley—in a precarious situation.
Unable to care for them, Simone’s mother placed them in foster care. Ronald and Nellie Biles, Simone’s grandparents, stepped in to adopt Simone and her younger sister, Adria. Their siblings were adopted and raised by Ronald’s sister in Cleveland, Ohio.
A Life-Changing Discovery
Simone’s journey to becoming a gymnastics superstar began by chance. A rainy day during a school field trip led her to Bannon’s Gymnastix, where she first encountered the sport that would change her life.
Nellie Biles, Simone’s adoptive mother, recalled in the series Simone vs. Herself that she never considered gymnastics as a sport for Simone. However, that rainy day sparked a lifelong passion for the young athlete.
Since that serendipitous introduction, Simone has dominated the sport, with her parents always in the audience cheering her on.
The Importance of Family Support
Simone often searches the audience for her parents during competitions, admitting that she feels nervous if she doesn’t spot them right away. She shared that knowing they are there helps her relax and focus.
In a heartfelt tweet, Simone expressed her gratitude to her parents for their unwavering support. “Thank you to my wonderful parents for your sacrifices that allowed me to chase my dreams. I appreciate your support through the highs and lows. You are the best. I love you all.”
A Special Moment in Paris
During the 2024 Olympics in Paris, Ronald and Nellie Biles, along with Simone’s husband, Jonathan Owens, were in the stands to support her. Jonathan, a football player, had skipped the Chicago Bears’ training camp to be there for his wife.
Simone spotted her parents in the Bercy Arena, with her dad using binoculars to watch her performance. She captured the moment on Instagram, captioning the photo, “My dad and his binoculars is soooo freaking cute.”
Giving Back: Simone’s Advocacy
In addition to her gymnastics achievements, Simone is a passionate advocate for Friends of the Children, an organization that provides long-term support to children in foster care. Simone believes that offering love and stability to these children can make a significant difference in their lives.
Controversy at the 2024 Olympics Opening Ceremony
The opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympics sparked controversy due to a performance that some viewed as disrespectful. The spectacle, which included drag queens and artists mimicking Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper, drew criticism from many, including celebrities like Jillian Michaels and Caitlyn Jenner.
Michaels expressed her disappointment, criticizing the performance for mocking a sacred moment, while Jenner called the display absurd.
