2023-09-29 04:51:00
The heroine is back in Antwerp, where it all started in 2013. Simone Biles won her first world medals in Belgium, at just 16 years old. The American has been collecting them for ten years. Considered the greatest gymnast of all time, life for her has not always been as brilliant as her ease in the gym might suggest.
A difficult childhood
Simone Biles’ childhood was not a long, quiet river. That’s the least we can say. His biological mother, who had fallen into drugs and alcohol, turned out to be completely incapable of taking care of her children. “I was never able to count on my biological mother,” she confided, in tears, during her appearance on Dancing with the Stars. She went in and out of prison. I remember I was always hungry, always afraid. At 3 years old, I was placed in foster care.”
Acclimatization and training in Ghent, interview with Nina Derwael then direction Antwerp: the story of Simone Biles’ first days in Belgium
The American therefore spent her early childhood in a foster family before being adopted by her grandparents at the age of six, along with her little sister, Adria. “I always wanted to see my grandfather when I was in care. […] My (grand)parents saved me, Biles said. They showed me how to treat others. They have been there to support me since day one. There is nothing I might say to thank them enough.”
Since then, Ronald and Nellie have been their (grand)daughter’s biggest supporters. “They mean everything to me,” assures Simone.
A 1.42 m flea
This will not have escaped you if you have had the opportunity to see Simone Biles in action: her size is inversely proportional to her talent. The Columbus native measures just 1.42 m and weighs 47 kg. Flexible, light and toned, Simone has the muscle mass of larger opponents. It is also fast. Its course propels it to 2.9 m in height. His size and impressive jumps earned him the nickname “flea”.
Treated for hyperactivity
In 2016, Russian hackers hacked the World Anti-Doping Agency and accused Simone Biles of doping, given that she takes methylphenidate. “I suffer from attention deficit disorder and hyperactivity,” she then revealed on social networks. I’ve been taking medication for this since I was a child. I believe in clean sport; I have always followed the rules and will continue to do so.”
The American federation has confirmed that the treatment is in order. “Simone has completed the appropriate forms; there is no violation. The International Gymnastics Federation, the American Olympic Committee and USADA (United States Anti-Doping Agency) have confirmed this.”
4 figures in his name
An exceptional performance by Simone Biles. ©AFP or licensors
Best gymnast of all time, Simone Biles continues to write the history of her sport. Her collection of gold medals is enormous, but the American gymnast also inscribes her name in golden letters in the history of her sport thanks to the figures which bear her surname, which only happens when a gymnast achieves in competition a new movement. Simone Biles has 4 figures named following her: two on floor, one on beam and one on vault. For the latter, in 2021 she performed a Yurchenko, a double back somersault with the body pike, which had never been done by a woman. The International Federation reduces the difficulty rating so as not to encourage gymnasts to try it…
A husband who plays American football
Simone Biles found love at the start of the pandemic, in March 2020. Not in a gym, no. But with a sportsman with whom she forms an extraordinary couple: Jonathan Owens is in fact an American footballer and plays in the NFL (currently with the Green Bay Packers, in Wisconsin). A beautiful baby, 1.80 m tall and 95 kg. The couple met thanks to Simone’s little sister and social networks. Adria pushed Simone to contact the man who was then playing for the Houston Texans online. “He would say I slipped into his DMs,” she smiles. I thought he was pretty cute and said hello. We started talking for a bit and then we went out a week or two later.”
Simone and Jonathan’s bulldogs even hit it off. “I didn’t really know who she was,” explains the safety (defensive line). It was something she appreciated. During the pandemic, we took the opportunity to get to know each other, to really know each other. It created our bond and made it stronger. Now I’m so grateful.”
Simone Biles and Jonathan Owens got married last April in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. “Unfortunately, we have been in a long distance relationship for regarding a week following we got married,” explains the gymnast. But, at least we are both busy and focused on our respective sports. We cherish the moments we spend together.”
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