Simone Biles Doesn’t Want Her Kid to Become a Gymnast - Here’s Why
Aug 7, 2016; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Simone Biles (USA) performs the balance beam during women's gymnastic qualifications in the Rio 2016 Summer Olympic Games at Rio Olympic Arena. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 7, 2016; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Simone Biles (USA) performs the balance beam during women's gymnastic qualifications in the Rio 2016 Summer Olympic Games at Rio Olympic Arena. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
The 11-time Olympic medalist's caliber remains untouched to this date. But during a 2021 interview with 60 Minutes Sport, Biles stated that she wouldn’t want her children to be part of USA Gymnastics.
“Because I don't feel comfortable enough, because they (USA Gymnastics) haven't taken accountability for their actions and what they've done,” she explained, referring to the Larry Nassar incident that shook USA Gymnastics.
“And they haven't ensured us that it's never going to happen again.” she added during the interview. Besides, reaching the pinnacle proved costly in other ways.
August 5, 2024, Paris, Ile de France, France: Simone Biles of the United States waits for score with coach Cecile Landi after competing on the beam on day three of the gymnastics event finals at the Arena Bercy during the 2024 Paris Olympics on Monday August 5, 2024 in Paris. Paris France - ZUMAj89_ 20240805_oly_j89_061 Copyright: xPaulxKitagaki,xJr.x
August 5, 2024, Paris, Ile de France, France: Simone Biles of the United States waits for score with coach Cecile Landi after competing on the beam on day three of the gymnastics event finals at the Arena Bercy during the 2024 Paris Olympics on Monday August 5, 2024 in Paris. Paris France - ZUMAj89_ 20240805_oly_j89_061 Copyright: xPaulxKitagaki,xJr.x
For Biles, it was her mental health. In the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, she withdrew from several individual events after experiencing twisties on the vault.
If the physical and mental grinds weren’t enough, there was also criticism. Another testament to the system’s failures was when, at the Karolyi Ranch, Biles and the other hungry gymnasts had to break into the cafeterias late at night.
Considering everything she faced, Biles wouldn’t want her kids to be in the same shoes. And the early struggles the sport required were another reason.
Simone Biles’ Struggle to Succeed Began Early
A sport that demands unmatched acrobatic strength, physical balance, flexibility, and proper coordination did not feel far from reach to the 6-year-old Biles. However, a sense of belonging was still lacking.
“I was pretty young, and I just knew that it was a lot of fun and I wanted to do it. But it wasn’t that feeling of ‘oh-she-belongs-here’,” Biles told The Guardian in 2019. “But once you get to a high level, there are still 100 other elite athletes.”
And the real challenge was the uncertainty despite making it to the higher point. Among the hundreds of thousands of gymnasts in the US, only four make a team. To Biles, it was like “playing the lottery.”
But the lottery result took her where she stands today. And regardless of her future kids following her footsteps, Simone Biles will remain in her well-adorned position.
With that being said, what do you think of Biles’ decision? Let us know in the comments.
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Written by
Deblina Roy
Edited by
Sagnik Bagchi