Simone Biles

Why this person is recognized

What Simone has actually done

Recognition rests on documented conduct. Each example below records what happened, when, the principle it demonstrates, and the sources our editors reviewed, with an honest assessment of how strong that evidence is.

1. 1

   Testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee on the FBI's and USA Gymnastics' handling of the Nassar investigation

   September 15, 2021Moral CourageEvidence: Strong

   On 15 September 2021 Biles gave sworn testimony to the United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary, stating that the FBI, USA Gymnastics and the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee had failed athletes, that those who enabled the abuse should be held accountable, and that she was testifying so that no other athlete would go through the same experience. She described the burden the postponed Tokyo Games and continuing proceedings had placed on her.

   Principle demonstrated: Challenging institutional wrongdoing publicly; accepting personal cost to protect others

   Evidence note: Primary source: her written testimony published by the Senate Judiciary Committee. Per editorial policy, only the testimony and advocacy are recorded here; details of the abuse itself are not.

   Supporting evidence

   • Testimony of Simone Biles, Senate Committee on the Judiciary United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary, September 15, 2021 · Public record · independently corroborated

     We have been failed, and we deserve answers. [...] it truly feels like the FBI turned a blind eye to us. [...] That has proven to be an exceptionally difficult burden for me to carry.

   • Simone Biles Testimony on Larry Nassar Abuse Investigation: Opening Statement Transcript Rev, September 15, 2021 · Public record · independently corroborated

     (paraphrase) Transcript of the opening statement delivered at the 15 September 2021 hearing; not read in full this session, listed for the editor's convenience.

2. 2

   Public statement in January 2018 preceded USA Gymnastics ending its use of the Karolyi Ranch

   January 15, 2018Moral CourageEvidence: Strong

   On 15 January 2018 Biles published a statement saying she had been among the athletes abused, calling for accountability so that it could never happen again, and noting that she would otherwise have to keep returning to the Karolyi Ranch training facility as she prepared for Tokyo 2020. On 18 January 2018 USA Gymnastics announced it had terminated its agreement with the Karolyi Ranch as the national team training centre.

   Principle demonstrated: Speaking publicly to change an institution's conduct

   Evidence note: Contemporaneous reporting by AP and CNN of her statement and of the USAG decision three days later. The causal link is widely reported and consistent with the timing but is an inference rather than a USAG admission.

   Supporting evidence

   • Olympic champ Simone Biles says she was abused by doctor Associated Press (via Boston.com), January 15, 2018 · Contemporaneous reporting · independently corroborated

     We need to make sure something like this never happens again. [...] We need to know why this was able to take place for so long and to so many of us.

   • USA Gymnastics terminates agreement with Karolyi Ranch CNN, January 18, 2018 · Contemporaneous reporting · independently corroborated

     I will have to continually return to the same training facility where I was abused [...] USA Gymnastics has terminated its agreement with the Karolyi Ranch in Huntsville, Texas.

3. 3

   Withdrew from the Tokyo team final, stating she would not risk the team's medal

   July 27, 2021Personal IntegrityEvidence: Strong

   On 27 July 2021, after a vault in the Olympic team final, Biles withdrew from the rest of the competition and later from the all-around final. She told reporters that her mental state was not there, that she had never felt like this going into a competition, and that she could not risk a medal for the team, so she needed to let her teammates compete. The United States won the team silver medal.

   Principle demonstrated: Honesty about one's own limits; placing the team's interests above personal expectations

   Evidence note: Contemporaneous NPR reporting with direct quotes. Interpretation of the decision as ethical conduct rests on her stated reasons, which were corroborated by teammates and USA Gymnastics at the time (not re-verified this session).

   Supporting evidence

   • Simone Biles pulls out of the Olympic team gymnastics final NPR (via WHRO), July 27, 2021 · Contemporaneous reporting · independently corroborated

     I can't risk a medal for the team, so I need to call it. [...] I've just never felt like this going into a competition before. [...] mental is not there, so I just need to let the girls do it and focus on myself.

   • Simone Biles Withdraws From The Individual All-Around Final At The Tokyo Olympics NPR (via WBEZ), July 28, 2021 · Contemporaneous reporting · independently corroborated

     If it wasn't for her, we wouldn't be here right now. We wouldn't be silver Olympic medalists. [Jordan Chiles]

4. 4

   Bowed to gold medallist Rebeca Andrade on the Paris 2024 floor podium

   August 5, 2024Respect for OthersEvidence: Moderate

   After the women's floor final on 5 August 2024, silver medallist Biles and bronze medallist Jordan Chiles bowed to Brazil's Rebeca Andrade on the podium. Biles said the next day that the gesture was about sportsmanship and that Andrade deserved it, having performed the best floor routine of the day.

   Principle demonstrated: Respect toward competitors

   Evidence note: The act was broadcast and widely observed; the motive is self-reported in a television interview. A single gesture is light evidence but is consistent with her documented conduct toward competitors.

   Supporting evidence

   • Simone Biles shares story behind bowing to Rebeca Andrade with Jordan Chiles: 'She deserved it' TODAY (NBC), 2024 · Interview · independently corroborated

     I think it's all about sportsmanship [...] So you have to give them their flowers. [...] She deserved it. She had the best floor routine of the day and in the Olympics.

5. 5

   Publicly supported teammate Jordan Chiles after her Olympic bronze medal was stripped

   August 11, 2024Respect for OthersEvidence: Moderate

   On 10 August 2024 the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled that a scoring inquiry for Jordan Chiles had been filed late, and the bronze medal Chiles had won in the Paris floor final was reallocated. USA Gymnastics said Chiles had faced sustained attacks on social media during the appeal. Biles posted a message of support to Chiles the following day, and in an interview published on 26 August 2024 said she disagreed with the procedure behind the ruling, that she wanted justice for Chiles, and that she had been in regular contact to support her.

   Principle demonstrated: Standing by a teammate under public pressure

   Evidence note: The public post is documented by ABC News contemporaneously; the account of continuing private support is self-reported in an interview. Supportive words for a teammate carry little personal cost, so this is modest evidence, but it is consistent with her documented conduct toward teammates in Tokyo.

   Supporting evidence

   • Simone Biles, Suni Lee share messages to Jordan Chiles after bronze medal overturned ABC News (Good Morning America), August 11, 2024 · Contemporaneous reporting · independently corroborated

     Sending you so much love, Jordan [...] Keep your chin up Olympic champ! We love you!

   • Simone Biles says she wants 'justice' for Jordan Chiles amid medal controversy TODAY (NBC), reporting a People interview, August 26, 2024 · Interview · independently corroborated

     Do we think they did the correct procedures to come to this ruling? No [...] why we're going to keep supporting her and uplifting her.