Simone Biles

thumb|Simone Biles in 2016 Simone Arianne Biles (born March 14, 1997) is an American artistic gymnast. With a combined total of 32 Olympic and World Championship medals, Biles is tied as the most decorated gymnast of all time. Biles' seven Olympic medals also ties Shannon Miller for the most Olympic medals won by an American female gymnast. Biles is considered one of the greatest and most dominant gymnasts of all time. Quotes I’m going to go out there and represent the U.S.A., represent World Champions Centre, and represent Black and brown girls over the world. At the end of the day, I’m not representing U.S.A. Gymnastics. "Simone Biles and the Weight of Perfection" in The New York Times (24 July 2021) I feel like I realized that power after I came out, after the #MeToo movement, and that was kind of scary. But it’s like, wow, my presence is very big in gymnastics but also online, just in the world in general. So I have to be a bit careful about what I say. "Simone Biles and the Weight of Perfection" in The New York Times (24 July 2021) Over the years, obviously since I’ve been so dominant, everybody supported the gymnastics and praised me for what I’ve done in the gym — and not really outside (of the gym). "'First time I felt human': Simone Biles gets honest about what happened at the Olympics" in Today (30 August 2021) I definitely had the team in my best interest, and that’s why I decided to pull out. I didn’t want to potentially lose a medal spot for them, because the girls were more than prepared to go in and to do their job, which they did. My body and my mind just said no. Even I didn’t know what I was going through it, until it just happened.... Train five years and it doesn’t go the way you wanted. But I know that I helped a lot of people and athletes speak out about mental health and saying no. "'First time I felt human': Simone Biles gets honest about what happened at the Olympics" in Today (30 August 2021) thumb I am going back home in one piece, which I was a little bit nervous about. It's not how I wanted it to go, but I think we've opened bigger doors and bigger conversations. "Olympics 2021 - Simone Biles discusses her mental health, challenges after winning bronze on beam" in ESPN (3 August 2021) It's so crazy. I'm happy I was able to get back out there and do one more routine, especially since I had the girls there rooting me on as well as the guys. It just felt really amazing. I'm proud of myself for the way I pushed through and even learned that dismount that I haven't done in years. And just put up a good set, that's all I really wanted. I wasn't expecting to walk away with a medal or anything, I just wanted to go out there and do it for myself. And I did. "Simone Biles tells Hoda she's 'keeping the door open' for Olympic return" in Today (4 August 2021) I decided to pull myself out so if anything, I think by having me not in competition they won the medal because if I would have been in, I would have gotten more lost in the air and had a fall and potentially injured myself and you can't replace an athlete. It could have gone a lot of different ways, but people don't know the rules. They think 'Well, she just quit,' and I'm like, 'No, I don't think so.' "Simone Biles tells Hoda she's 'keeping the door open' for Olympic return" in Today (4 August 2021) Life just happens so quickly and now I have a greater appreciation for life after everything that's happened in the last five years. "Simone Biles tells Hoda she's 'keeping the door open' for Olympic return" in Today (4 August 2021) We're not just athletes or entertainment -- we're human, too, and we have real emotions. Sometimes they don't realize that we have things going on behind the scenes that affects us whenever we go out and compete. "What's Next for Simone Biles? Gymnast Answers Questions on Future After Tokyo Games" in NBC Chicago (3 August 2021) But at the end of the day it’s like, we want to walk out of here, not be dragged out here on a stretcher. I just don’t trust myself as much as I used to. And I don’t know if it’s age—I’m a little bit more nervous when I do gymnastics. I feel like I’m also not having as much fun, and I know that. "Simone Biles Explains Withdrawal: “I Just Don’t Trust Myself As Much As I Used To” " in Slate (27 July 2021) About Simone Biles thumb Simone is so good that the rest of us can only hope to finish second to her in the all-around. What else can you do? She does all sorts of crazy things no one else can do. Sunisa Lee, "Simone Biles and the Weight of Perfection" in The New York Times (24 July 2021) She’s the saving grace for U.S.A. Gymnastics, whether they have admitted it or not. Boy, they are a mess. If it wasn’t for her, I really don’t know how they would still be around. Bill Mallon, "Simone Biles and the Weight of Perfection" in The New York Times (24 July 2021) External links Category:Simone Biles Category:Gymnasts Category:21st-century African-American women Category:Catholics from the United States Category:1997 births Category:Living people Category:People from Columbus Category:Sportspeople from Houston Category:Olympic gold medalists Category:Shorty Award winners