Challenges Faced by Simone Biles: Obstacles and Turning Points

Resilience and perseverance in the journey of Simone Biles. A timeline of obstacles and growth.

Simone Biles is an American artistic gymnast recognized as the most decorated gymnast in history, holding 30 World Championship medals and 11 Olympic medals. She's widely considered one of the greatest gymnasts of all time and one of the greatest female athletes. Her Olympic medal count ties her with Věra Čáslavská as the second-most decorated female Olympic gymnast, and she holds the record for the most Olympic medals earned by an American gymnast.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Legacy & Impact

2000: Grandparents' Temporary Care

In 2000, Simone Biles's maternal grandfather, Ron Biles, and his second wife, Nellie Cayetano Biles, began caring temporarily for Shanon's children in Spring, Texas.

2013: U.S. Classic Performance and Mental Health Support

In 2013, Simone Biles competed at the U.S. Classic and performed poorly, falling several times. She consulted a sports psychologist who helped her with her anxiety and confidence issues.

September 2016: Disclosure of ADHD and Medication

In September 2016, after her medical information was released, Simone Biles disclosed on Twitter that she has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and was permitted to take medication for it, having received a therapeutic use exemption. She was applauded for opening up about ADHD.

September 2017: Speaking about ADHD diagnosis

In September 2017, Simone Biles spoke about having attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) after her medical records were leaked online, revealing that she had been taking Ritalin to treat the condition during the Olympics.

January 18, 2018: Biles reveals Larry Nassar's sexual assault

On January 18, 2018, Simone Biles publicly announced that she was sexually assaulted by former USA Gymnastics physician Larry Nassar and accused USA Gymnastics of covering it up.

2018: 2018 World Championships

In late October 2018, at the World Championships in Doha, Qatar, Biles went to an emergency room with a kidney stone. She qualified to the all-around, vault, balance beam and floor exercise finals in first place, and to the uneven bars final in second place. Her new vault was named 'the Biles' and the US team won gold.

2020: 2020 Summer Olympics

At the 2020 Summer Olympics, Biles withdrew from most of the competition after the qualification round due to "the twisties". She won a silver medal with the United States team nicknamed the "Fighting Four".

February 2021: Criticism of ESPN's SportsCenter

In February 2021, Simone Biles criticized ESPN's SportsCenter for excluding women athletes in their "Greatest of All Time" picture.

July 28, 2021: Simone Biles withdraws from the individual all-around competition

On July 28, 2021, Simone Biles withdrew from the finals of the individual all-around competition at the Olympics, citing concerns about her mental health.