Simone Biles is not only the most decorated gymnast in history, but also a role model for millions of people around the world. She has overcome adversity, challenges and obstacles to achieve her dreams and inspire others to do the same. Here is her story and why she should be celebrated.
Simone Biles was born on March 14, 1997 in Columbus, Ohio. She was one of four children born to drug-addicted parents who could not take care of them. She and her siblings were placed in foster care when she was three years old. She was later adopted by her grandparents, who moved to Texas and introduced her to gymnastics.
Biles fell in love with gymnastics at a young age, after visiting a gym on a field trip. She started training at Bannon’s Gymnastix at the age of six, and soon showed exceptional talent and potential. She was homeschooled from eighth grade to focus on her gymnastics career.
Biles made her senior debut in 2013, winning the all-around title at the American Cup. She then dominated the World Championships, winning four gold medals and one bronze. She repeated this feat in 2014 and 2015, becoming the first woman to win three consecutive all-around titles at the World Championships.
In 2016, Biles qualified for the Rio Olympics, where she led the U.S. team to gold in the team event. She also won gold in the individual all-around, vault and floor exercise, and bronze on the balance beam. She became the first American woman to win four gold medals at a single Olympics, and tied the record for most Olympic medals won by a female gymnast.
Biles took a break from gymnastics after Rio, but returned to competition in 2018. She continued to break records and push boundaries, performing skills that no other woman had ever done before. She won five gold medals at the 2018 World Championships, becoming the first woman to do so since 1958. She also became the most decorated female gymnast in World Championship history, with 20 medals.
In 2019, Biles won another five gold medals at the World Championships, surpassing Vitaly Scherbo as the most decorated gymnast of all time, with 25 medals. She also performed two unprecedented skills: a double-double dismount on the balance beam and a triple-double on the floor exercise. These skills were named after her in the Code of Points, making her the first woman to have four skills named after her.
In 2020, Biles was preparing for the Tokyo Olympics, which were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. She used the extra time to train and improve her skills, as well as to speak out on important issues such as mental health and social justice. She also revealed that she was one of the survivors of sexual abuse by former USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar, and advocated for accountability and reform in the sport.
In 2021, Biles qualified for the Tokyo Olympics, where she was expected to win multiple gold medals and cement her legacy as the greatest gymnast ever. However, she withdrew from several events due to mental health concerns and a phenomenon known as “the twisties”, which affects a gymnast’s spatial awareness and ability to perform safely. She later returned to compete in the balance beam final, where she won a bronze medal.
Biles received widespread support and praise for her courage and honesty in prioritizing her well-being over winning. She also raised awareness about the importance of mental health for athletes and everyone else. She said: “I have to do what’s right for me and focus on my mental health and not jeopardize my health and well-being.”
Simone Biles is more than just a gymnast. She is a leader, an advocate, a survivor and a hero. She has shown us that there is more to life than gymnastics, and that success is not measured by medals alone. She has taught us to work hard, have fun, dream big and be ourselves. She has inspired us to overcome challenges, pursue our passions and take care of ourselves.
Simone Biles is the greatest female gymnast of all time.
Dakota White is a 7-year-old girl from Dallas, Texas, who has made history as the fastest kid in the nation. She recently broke a Junior Olympics national record when she helped her team at the AAU Junior Olympics win a title in the girls 8 and under 100-meter relay. She ran her part in 59.08 seconds, which was also a national record.
Dakota’s story is inspiring and remarkable. She started running track when she was four years old, following in the footsteps of her older sister, who is also a track star. She trains with her coach and mentor, Coach T, who runs the North Texas Cheetahs Track Club. She practices every day, even in the summer heat, and loves to compete.
“I like to run because it makes me happy and it makes me feel good,” Dakota said in an interview with Essence. “I like to win medals and trophies and break records.”
Dakota is not only a talented athlete, but also a smart and dedicated student. She attends a charter school that focuses on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). She loves math and wants to be an engineer when she grows up. She also enjoys reading, writing and drawing.
Dakota’s achievements are impressive, especially considering that she is competing against girls who are older and bigger than her. According to Whistle, Dakota is only 3 feet 9 inches tall and weighs 48 pounds. She has to wear extra small shoes and use special blocks to start her races. Click here to continue reading about Dakota White.
