Early Life

Simone Biles was born in Ohio in 1997 as the third of four children Simone, Adria, Ashley and Tevin. Because of their mother’s drug and alcohol dependency, the four children were often in foster care. Biles’ father, who also struggled with dependencies abandoned the family and did not feature in her life. In 2000 Biles’ maternal grandfather and his wife started taking care of the Biles siblings and in 2003 the couple officially adopted Simone Biles and her sister Adria, the two youngest children.

Launching into Gymnastics

Biles had her first taste of gymnastics at the age of six when she was on a day-care field trip. The gymnastics instructors recognised potential in her and suggested that Biles continues with the sport. She soon enrolled at Bannon’s Gymnastix in an optional training program. Aged eight Biles started training with coach Aimee Boorman.

Triumph Over Tragedy

Although Simone Biles had a tough start to life, she has made her mark in the world and has dominated her sport since she made her debut in the Olympic Games 2013. She is the first female gymnast since the early 1970s to win four all-round titles in a row at the U.S. National Championships. She is also the first female to be the all-round gymnastics world champion for three consecutive years and, as in 2016, has won 14 world championships medals – more than any other American woman.