Simone

Biles

Quick Facts

• Specialty: Floor exercise, vault and balance beam

• Eponymous skills: 

  • Biles (6.0) (vault): Yurchenko half on-straight front salto double twist off

  • Biles II (6.4) (vault): Yurchenko double pike 

  • Biles (H) (balance beam): double-twisting double backflip dismount

  • Biles (G) (floor exercise): double layout salto half out 

  • Biles II (J) (floor exercise): triple-twisting double tucked salto (“triple-double”)

Biographical Information

Simone Biles is a U.S. gymnast and one of the most celebrated athletes of all time. Her passion for gymnastics began at the age of six during a daycare field trip. She quickly displayed a natural affinity and love for the sport. She continued her Gymnastics journey at Bannon's Gymnastics.

Biles attended elementary school in Harris County, Texas up until she began homeschooling in 2012 to allow for more gymnastics training. She progressed rapidly through the ranks of the gymnastics world, transitioning to the junior elite division in 2011-2012. 

Biles made her international debut in 2013, representing the United States at prestigious competitions such as the City of Jesolo Trophy and the American Cup. Her stellar performances established Biles as a prodigy in the world of gymnastics.

At the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, she earned an unprecedented four gold medals in the floor exercise, vault, all-around and team segments; the first woman to achieve such a feat since 1974.

Biles was honored with the prestigious Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2022. She once again led the U.S. national gymnastics team to victory in the 2023 world championships, securing another gold medal.

At the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, she contributed to Team USA's success, earning silver as a team and was awarded a bronze medal in the balance beam event.

In her personal life, Biles is an advocate for children in foster care and works with the Friends with Children nonprofit. She also released an autobiography, Courage to Soar: A Body in Motion, A Life in Balance in 2017.

Olympic Highlights

Biles solidified her status as one of the greatest gymnasts of all time, with remarkable achievements at the Olympic Games throughout her career. She captivates the nation on the Olympic stage and her record-breaking achievements have ignited a sense of pride and admiration among Americans. 

Rio 2016 Olympic Games

On Aug. 7, 2016, Biles led the U.S. national gymnastics team to qualify in first place for the final with a score of 185.238. She qualified individually as the top gymnast for four of the five individual finals: the all-around, vault, balance beam and floor exercise.

Biles was also a pivotal member of the "Final Five" U.S. national gymnastics team, which also included Gabby Douglas, Laurie Hernandez, Madison Kocian and Aly Raisman. They clinched the gold medal in the team final.

In the all-around final, Biles again claimed a gold medal. She continued her winning streak and earned gold in the vault final, as well. Her third and final Rio 2016 gold medal came from her floor exercise routine,  which cemented her status as a gymnastics legend.

Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games

During the Tokyo 2020 games, Biles competed in the team competition and contributed to Team USA's silver medal-winning performance. 

Paris 2024 Olympic Games

At the Paris 2024 Games, Biles earned a total of four medals. She won the silver medal in floor exercise and three golds in the vault final, team and all-around.

Championship Highlights

In 2013, Simone Biles made her competitive debut at the American Cup in Worcester, Massachusetts. She continued to impress at the U.S. Classic in Chicago, demonstrating her skills on a national stage. At the U.S. national championships in St. Louis, Biles won the all-around title after earning silver in all four individual events. She also made history at the 2013 world championships by becoming the first African American gymnast to win multiple medals.

A year later, in 2014, Simone Biles performed at the world championships, securing gold medals in the all-around, floor exercise and team events. She defended her national all-around title at the U.S. national championships, and her remarkable achievements earned her widespread recognition and acclaim.

In 2015, Biles successfully defended her titles at the world championships yet again in the all-around, floor exercise and team events. At the U.S. national championships, she secured her third consecutive national all-around title. 

Early Career 

Simone Biles’ junior career began at 14 years old during the 2011 American Classic in Houston. She won third overall, with first-place finishes on vault and balance beam. 

In 2012, Biles competed in the American Classic in Huntsville, Texas, earning first place in the all-around and on vault, second place (tied) on floor exercise and third on balance beam.

Her performance at the American Classic earned her a spot at the 2012 USA Gymnastics National Championships. She also competed in that year’s U.S. Classic in Chicago, where she finished first in the all-around and on vault and second on floor exercise. At the U.S. National Championships in St. Louis, Biles claimed third place in the all-around and first on vault. As a result of her performances, she was selected for the U.S. Junior National Team.

Olympic Experience

• 3-time Olympian; 11-time Olympic medalist (7 gold, 2 silver, 2 bronze)
• Olympic Games Paris 2024, gold (Individual All-Around - Women, Team - Women, Vault - Women), silver (Floor Exercise - Women), 5th (Beam - Women), 9th (Uneven Bars - Women)
• Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, silver (Team - Women), bronze (Beam - Women), 9th (Floor Exercise - Women, Vault - Women), 11th (Uneven Bars - Women), 25th (Individual All-Around - Women)
• Olympic Games Rio de Janeiro 2016, gold (Floor Exercise - Women, Individual All-Around - Women, Team - Women, Vault - Women), bronze (Beam - Women), 14th (Uneven Bars - Women)

World Championships Experience

• Most recent: 2023 – gold (Beam - Women, Floor Exercise - Women, Individual All-Around - Women, Team - Women), silver (Vault - Women), 5th (Uneven Bars - Women)
• Years of participation: Beam - Women 2013, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2019, 2023; Floor Exercise - Women 2013, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2019, 2023; Individual All-Around - Women 2013, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2019, 2023; Team - Women 2014, 2015, 2018, 2019, 2023; Uneven Bars - Women 2013, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2019, 2023; Vault - Women 2013, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2019, 2023
• Medals: 30 (23 gold, 4 silver, 3 bronze)
• Gold – 2023 (Beam - Women, Floor Exercise - Women, Individual All-Around - Women, Team - Women); 2019 (Beam - Women, Floor Exercise - Women, Individual All-Around - Women, Team - Women, Vault - Women); 2018 (Floor Exercise - Women, Individual All-Around - Women, Team - Women, Vault - Women); 2015 (Beam - Women, Floor Exercise - Women, Individual All-Around - Women, Team - Women); 2014 (Beam - Women, Floor Exercise - Women, Individual All-Around - Women, Team - Women); 2013 (Floor Exercise - Women, Individual All-Around - Women)
• Silver – 2023 (Vault - Women); 2018 (Uneven Bars - Women); 2014 (Vault - Women); 2013 (Vault - Women)
• Bronze – 2018 (Beam - Women); 2015 (Vault - Women); 2013 (Beam - Women)