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.
Azariya McClendon, 17, is not your typical adolescent. Her accomplishment of completing both her high school and college degrees on the same day is something that most individuals can only hope to do.
On May 14, McClendon, a resident of Ringgold, Louisiana, graduated from Bossier Parish Community College with an associate’s degree in general studies. She crossed the stage once more later that day to get her high school diploma from Ringgold High School.
What was her secret? When McClendon was a sophomore in high school, she participated in the BPCC Early College Programme. Through this programme, high school students can fulfil their high school requirements while taking college courses and earning college credits.
McClendon noted that her passion of learning and drive to challenge herself served as her driving forces. She told KSLA that she has “always been interested in learning new things and expanding my knowledge.” “I wanted to take advantage of this chance and start my education early,” the applicant said.
She also gave her family, especially her mother, credit for their encouragement and support in helping her achieve her goals. She remarked, “My mum has always been my biggest supporter and my role model. “She taught me to work hard and to never give up on my dreams.” Click here to continue reading about Azariya.