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American gymnast Simone Biles is widely recognized as one of the greatest gymnasts of all-time. But aside from her gymnastics career, she has used her platform to discuss numerous social issues.
From clashing with Riley Gaines to responding to a remark made by US President Donald Trump, here are five times Biles has made headlines for her public comments.
Simone Biles discussed her mental health after withdrawal from Tokyo Olympics
Biles competed at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, claiming two medals. However, she had to withdraw from four individual events and the women's team final due to a type of mental block known as twisties. In gymnastics, twisties can cause a gymnast to lose their sense of space and dimension as they're in the air.
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Biles' withdrawal drew more attention to athletes' mental health concerns. In an interview with Olympics.com, Biles said:
“In the beginning, I think the hardest part is logging on to my therapy sessions and convincing myself to go. But as soon as I see my therapist and we start talking, it’s like I’m yapping the whole time. I’m so grateful for that.”
Biles' comments on her mental health sparked reactions from many athletes, including Jade Carey, who showed her support for the gymnast.
Simone Biles' response to a comment from Donald Trump
In June 2024, Donald Trump passed a comment during his Presidential debate with Joe Biden, saying that migrants were taking "Black jobs" and "Hispanic jobs" from American people. Biles responded on X to a post describing her "black job" as winning medals:
"I love my black job 🖤"
Simone Biles defended Caster Semenya after the sprinter got banned from international events
Simone Biles defended Caster Semenya after she was effectively banned from competing in any international track events due to high testosterone levels. In 2019, World Athletics required female athletes with DSDs to keep testosterone levels below a set limit. Semenya refused treatment, leading to her ban.
Biles shared her reaction to the news:
"this is wrong on so many levels.. once again men having control over womens bodies 🙄 I’m tired."
Simone Biles' message to Joe Biden
Biles shared a message for former president Joe Biden on X after it was confirmed that he would be leaving office for the new president, Donald Trump. She wrote:
"Mr Biden, I need you to stand up, straighten your back and make some things shake before your departure. xoxo the women in America."
Simone Biles vs Riley Gaines
Biles and conservative activist Riley Gaines have been engaged in an online feud regarding the inclusion of transgender women in women's sports. Following Gaines' comments on a transgender Minnesota High School softball player, Biles wrote on X:
"bully someone your own size, which would ironically be a male @Riley_Gaines_"
Biles would refer to Gaines as "truly sick" and a "sore loser" in an earlier tweet, and urged the former competitive swimmer to be more inclusive.
