Raising The Bar

Simone Biles is well known all around the world, but she just came a little more well known. Simone Biles became the most decorated gymnast in the World Championships on October 12, 2019- just this month! With the highest World Championships medal count in history, Biles set the record of 25 medals, both men and women. She also has 19 world titles, and is the most decorated American gymnast of all time. “I don't know how I do it sometimes," Biles said, according to the USA Gymnastics website. "Sometimes I wonder how I do it. I feel like it's just like not me. I wish I could have an out-of-body experience to witness it because sometimes I think I'm going crazy."

She's won the most gold medals at a single Olympics, with four in Rio in 2016. She has 19 world titles. And now, she's the most decorated gymnast in the world championships' history, winning her 24th and 25th medals to surpass Belarusian Vitaly Scherbo for the all-time mark. He only had 23 medals. “It's not just about the medal haul -- though that alone solidifies her case as the greatest gymnast of all time. It's also how she's doing it.” Says CNN. “Every year, it feels better and better just because we’re adding to the legacy,” Biles said. “I feel like I never think of records. I just go out there and do what I came to do, which is to compete for the country.” Simone Biles is a very inspirational person, and what surprises me the most is her backstory.

Simone had a rough life growing up. According to many sites including The Famous People, and even her own book- “Courage To Soar”-Her and her sister Adria, were raised by their grandparents after their mom's struggle with substance abuse problems. Their father, Kelvin Clemmons also wasn't there for them when he abandoned his family after struggles with addictions. Eventually her grandparents Rob and Nellie, adopted Simone and Adria. Simone says that even though her mom wasn't there for her, her grandparents were unconditionally supportive. Her whole gymnastics career started from a school field trip to a gymnasium with her care mates. She soon after decided to go to ‘Bannon’s Gymnastix’ for coaching when she was just eight. Simone has come a long way from her early life of living with her grandparents, and taking very little training at Bannon's, to being the most decorated gymnast in the world championships. She is definitely raising the bar for amazing gymnasts like herself, inspiring beginner gymnasts, and even people who don't do gymnastics at all, across the whole world.

​Story by Olivia Courtenay-Smith

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