When you talk about true prodigies from the world of gymnastics, few names shine as brightly as Simone Biles. Known for her gravity-defying performances and record-breaking achievements, she’s all set for a remarkable return at the Paris Olympics 2024.
At 27, she’s eying for another gold medal to add to her collection of four Olympic golds. But behind her unparalleled success lies a story of struggle and resilience, shaped significantly by her adoptive family.
Simone Biles’ Early Life and Struggles
For Simone Biles, the road to greatness was never an easy one. Born to Kelvin Clemons and Shannon Biles, her early years were marred by stress, confusion, and instability. Her biological father met her mother when they both were teenagers, but everything turned dark as the battle with substance abuse began.
According to the Facebook Watch series “Simone vs Herself,” Simone’s mother was never around to share a true bond with her daughter, as she was in and out of jail most of the time. Due to her mother’s absence and her father’s not being in touch, Simone and her siblings were forced to stay in foster care.
The Pivotal Point in Simone’s Life
It all changed for our superhero when her grandparents appeared as saviors to adopt her and her siblings. Simone was six when Nellie and Ronald Biles took her in and provided a stable and loving home. From that moment on, she called Ronald and Nellie her father and mother. This act of kindness laid the foundation for Simone’s future success.
Simone’s grandmother, Nellie Biles, played a massive role in spotting and nurturing her talents while providing complete emotional support. In a heartfelt moment, Nellie shared how she also felt like a true mother while raising and supporting Simone.
Simone Biles’ Tragic Moment and Struggles
Simone claimed her first World All-Around title when she was only 16—she repeated the feat for three consecutive years. She ascended to global stardom in the 2016 Rio Olympics, where she claimed four gold medals and one bronze.
However, the Tokyo Olympics 2021 became yet another tragic moment in Simone’s career, as she experienced a unique and potentially dangerous mental condition called “the twisties.” The condition causes a loss of spatial awareness mid-air and can be extremely dangerous for gymnasts performing tricky aerial maneuvers.
While she was among the most anticipated athletes at the time, Simone decided to withdraw from several events. Simone’s withdrawal sparked global conversation, highlighting the fact that her confident persona masked years of internal struggles.
The decision also took a toll on her emotional health, as shown in the Netflix docuseries “Simone Biles Rising”. She talked about the pressure to deliver the best performance and be the face of USA Gymnastics. Simone’s openness about her struggles helped her recover and change the world of sports, as this inspired other athletes to talk about their mental health challenges, including swimming legend Michael Phelps and tennis star Naomi Osaka.
RELATED: Kendra Wilkinson’s Struggle with Mental Health
As Simone Biles gets ready to hit the Olympic stage in the 2024 Paris Olympics, she’s once again the center of attraction. But, this time, she’s prepared to do it with the unwavering support of her family. She is also dealing with everything strategically, evident from her decision to skip the star-studded opening ceremony to rest and prepare for the first competition on Sunday.
