Simone Biles gets emotional after major announcement regarding gymnast
Seven-time Olympic gold medallist Simone Biles was left emotional after she was named as one of just five athletes in Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People
Simone Biles claimed her seventh Olympic gold medal last summer in Paris(Image: (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images))
Simone Biles was left emotional after reading Time Magazine’s description of her written by her former USA Gymnastics teammates Aly Raisman.
The seven-time Olympic gold medallist, who earlier this year announced the addition of another member to their family with NFL husband Jonathan Owens, is the most decorated gymnast ever.
In total, the 28-year-old, who claimed three gold medals last summer in Paris, has won a whopping 11 Olympic medals, alongside 30 World Championship medals. Earlier this week, Biles achieved another accomplishment after it was announced that she had been selected by Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People.
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Of the 100 people named on the list, only six were athletes, with Biles included alongside the likes of Super Bowl winning quarterback Jalen Hurts, French Olympic swimmer Leon Marchand, tennis icon Serena Williams, and WNBA duo Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier.
Named in the ‘Titans’ portion of the top 100, Biles’ description was written by Raisman for the magazine, with the latter hailing her former USA Gymnastics teammate as someone who has “transformed gymnastics.”
“Simone Biles is a gem — one of a kind, forged by relentless hard work and polished by her own determination. She shines with a brilliance that sets her apart,” Raisman wrote for Time.
“Simone dominates gymnastics, performing skills that push beyond what was once thought possible. Her routines are so difficult, my teammates and I used to joke that we were all competing for second place. Even as the GOAT, she continues to push herself—defying the very notion of limits. With five signature skills, she has etched her name into the sport.”
Raisman, who won three Olympic gold medals, one of which was alongside Biles during the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro in the Women’s artistic team all-around event, continued: “Simone has faced — and withstood — mounting expectations, pressures, and adversity, which seem to intensify each year. Through it all, she has embraced her vulnerability, while refusing to let it define or limit her.
“She is both deeply human and undeniably superhuman — a combination that makes her impact profound. She inspires us to believe that we, too, can persevere. That we, too, can shatter limits.”
Aly Raisman and Simone Biles at the 2016 Olympics(Image: Getty)
“Simone has changed lives by bringing mental health and athlete safety to the forefront. She has transformed gymnastics — and even sport itself. But her greatest legacy may be ensuring a better future for those who follow.”
Having seen the kind words written by her former teammate, Biles responded to the description on her Instagram story, replying with several teary eyed emojis.
She also posted on Instagram: “Incredibly honored to be included in the 2025 #TIME100 list. time.com/time100 Thank you, @time.”
