Bryan McAllister’s personal reference notebook
September 12, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
A quiet encyclopedia with a personal desk
Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
Sports Desk • Gymnastics

Simone Biles

Simone Biles is an American artistic gymnast widely regarded as one of the greatest gymnasts in history.

Updated September 12, 20261 min readCited sources

Simone Biles is an American artistic gymnast widely regarded as one of the greatest in history. She holds 11 Olympic medals and 30 World Championship medals, the most of any gymnast.

Who is Simone Biles?

Born in Columbus, Ohio, in 1997, Biles began gymnastics at a young age and moved to Texas. She made her senior elite breakthrough in 2013 and quickly became dominant in the all-around competition, known for her exceptional difficulty and consistency.

What makes her a legend

Biles is the most decorated gymnast in history by combined Olympic and World Championship medals. She has multiple eponymous skills, including the Biles and Biles II, and won four gold medals at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Her influence has raised the standard of difficulty in women's artistic gymnastics.

Personal life and resilience

Biles has spoken publicly about mental health, especially after withdrawing from much of the 2020 Tokyo Games. She married American football player Jonathan Owens in 2023. Her advocacy has made her a role model beyond sport.

In short

  • Most decorated gymnast in history with 11 Olympic and 30 World Championship medals.
  • Known for multiple signature skills named after her, including the Biles and Biles II.
  • Advocate for mental health after stepping back at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
  • Married to NFL player Jonathan Owens since 2023.
Canadian angle

Biles is a major international figure in women’s artistic gymnastics and a frequent benchmark for Canadian gymnasts and fans following elite international competition, including the Olympics and World Championships.

Quick questions

Who is Simone Biles?
She is an American artistic gymnast and one of the most successful athletes in the history of the sport.
Why is Simone Biles famous?
She is famous for her record medal totals, dominance in all-around competition, and several gymnastics skills named after her.
How many Olympic medals has Simone Biles won?
She has won 11 Olympic medals.

Sources

  1. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Simone-Biles
    Supports: Birth date and place; status as one of the greatest gymnasts; Olympic medal total.
  2. Olympics.com — https://www.olympics.com/en/athletes/simone-biles
    Supports: Birth date and place; career overview; signature move; major titles.
  3. American Academy of Achievement — https://achievement.org/achiever/simone-biles/
    Supports: Most decorated gymnast status; record-setting World Championship medal total.
  4. NBC Olympics — https://www.nbcolympics.com/news/simone-biles-meet-athlete
    Supports: Marriage to Jonathan Owens; background; medal totals; 2024 Olympics context.
  5. International Gymnastics Federation — https://www.gymnastics.sport/site/athletes/bio_detail.php?id=38172
    Supports: Nationality; place of birth; discipline; athlete profile.