Everything to know about gymnastics ‘GOAT’ Simone Biles

At the 2024 Paris Olympics, the eyes of the world will be on Simone Biles as she looks for a bit of redemption following the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

With 37 world and Olympic medals in tow, Biles is already the most decorated gymnast of all time, but she can further cement her status as the “GOAT” with a strong showing in Paris.

Biles was born in Columbus, Ohio, but moved to Spring, Texas, at age 3 when she and her siblings were placed in foster care. Biles was raised by her grandparents, Ron and Nellie Biles, and was officially adopted when she was 6.

Biles started gymnastics at age 6 after taking a day care field trip to Bannon’s Gymnastix in Houston, Texas. Biles caught the eye of a coach, who encouraged her to sign up for gymnastics classes. The rest is history!

While Biles excels in all four women’s gymnastics events, she is particularly dominate on the floor exercise. Biles won gold on floor at the 2016 Rio Olympics and is a six-time world champion in the event.

Biles currently has five skills named after her in the Code of Points. Gymnasts can get a skill named after them if they are the first to perform it in a major international competition.

Vault

Biles: A roundoff with a half-twist onto the vaulting table and a front double full somersault off (2018 World Championships)
Biles II: A Yurchenko style vault with two flips in a pike position (2023 World Championships)

Beam

Biles: A double-double dismount from the balance beam — which consists of two flips and two twists (2019 World Championships)
Floor

Biles: Double layout with a half-twist in the second flip (2013 World Championships)
Biles II: A triple-double — which consists of two flips and three twists (2019 World Championships)

Biles married professional American football player Jonathan Owens on April 22, 2023. Owens has played for the Houston Texans and Green Bay Packers, and recently signed a two-year contract with the Chicago Bears in March.

Biles is often referred to as the “GOAT,” which stands for “greatest of all time.” Biles earned the nickname through her dominant performances over the last decade.

At the 2023 World Championships, Biles became the most decorated gymnast in history — man or woman — with 37 world and Olympic medals. Biles is also the only American gymnast in history to win eight national titles. She will compete for Team USA again at the 2024 Olympics.