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On Tuesday, July 30, following her groundbreaking victory at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Simone Biles posted an Instagram story featuring her grandfather, Ronald Biles, watching her compete.
As the most decorated gymnast in American history, Simone has shared her experiences growing up, revealing that she and her siblings faced hunger while in the care of their biological mother, who struggled with substance abuse. Keep reading to discover more about this remarkable athlete!
Long before the 26-year-old Simone Biles became known for her incredible flips and spins, she was in foster care with her siblings, Adria, Tevin, and Ashley.
Simone’s birth mother, Shanon, battled addiction to alcohol and drugs, which left her unable to provide for her four children.
Shanon shared with the Daily Mail, “It was incredibly difficult to let go of my kids, but I had to make the right choice since I couldn’t provide the care they needed.” She also mentioned that the children’s father, who is also battling addiction, was not present.
In an interview with CNN, Simone openly discussed her childhood and the “challenges” she faced due to her mother’s addiction. “My siblings and I were placed in foster care because our biological mother was dealing with drug and alcohol issues. I was just three years old at the time,” she recounted to CNN.
Even after twenty years, she still vividly remembers the times when she went hungry.
She recalls, “I remember when we were kids, feeling really hungry, and then there was this cat that always got fed while we didn’t.” In the video, she continues, “Fortunately, we were placed in a single foster home where we could all stay together, and those moments were some of the happiest times of our lives. We were just filled with excitement.”
Enhancing that joy were the regular visits from her grandparents, Ronald and Nellie Biles, who adopted Simone when she was six, along with her younger sister Adria, who is now 24.
Simone shared on her Facebook Watch series, Simone vs. Herself, “Naturally, I wanted to look after Adria since she was the youngest.” She added, “I felt it was my responsibility to protect her because if family doesn’t support you, who will?”
Their siblings, Tevin and Ashley, were adopted by Ronald’s sister and grew up in Cleveland, Ohio.
Life changing rain day
Then, a school trip that was canceled due to rain dramatically altered the trajectory of Simone’s life.
Nellie reflects on her adopted daughter Simone’s journey in gymnastics, stating, “I never considered gymnastics as a sport for her; it never crossed my mind.” She recalls a field trip that was altered due to rain, leading the group to Bannon’s Gymnastix instead of their intended destination.
Simone supports her mother’s recollection by sharing with her fans that her first encounter with gymnastics occurred during a daycare school trip. “I don’t recall ever watching it on television or seeing it in magazines,” the athlete explains, noting that she picked up skills by “copying” the other girls.
Since then, Nellie and Ronald have been present at every event, cheering on Simone as she dominates her rivals.
Simone shared that she has a “bad habit” of scanning the audience for her biggest supporters, admitting that she feels “a bit anxious” about competing without her parents there.
“I can’t really settle in and feel at ease until I spot them in the crowd. I get quite restless, but once I see them, it really helps to calm my nerves knowing they’re in the arena.”
appreciation post for my sweet parents ❤️ thanks for making sacrifices since day 1 so I can live out my dream. but most importantly thanks for always being there for me through all the highs and lows. You guys are the absolute best. I love y’all 🤎
The only event the Biles couple missed was the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, where fans were prohibited from attending due to COVID-19 guidelines. In the end, Simone withdrew from the women’s team final and four additional individual finals to focus on her well-being as she faced a condition known among gymnasts as the ‘twisties,’ which occurs when the mind and body are not in harmony.
Dad and his binoculars
As they cheered for Simone and Team USA at the 2024 Olympics in Paris, Ronald and Nellie were accompanied by Simone’s husband, Jonathan Owens, a football player who took a break from his training camp with the Chicago Bears to be there for his wife (they got married in 2023).
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Nellie proudly states in the Facebook video, “No matter the location or the competition, she always knows where we are. I can tell she hears me because I cheer so loudly.”
As Simone looked around the Bercy Arena in Paris for her parents, she spotted Owens in a vibrant t-shirt featuring images of his wife, sitting next to Nellie, who was beaming with joy. Her dad, meanwhile, was peering through binoculars to catch a glimpse of his daughter.
She shares an Instagram story saying, “My dad with his binoculars is just the cutest,” alongside a charming family photo.
Simone not only holds the record for the most medals among U.S. gymnasts but also actively supports Friends of the Children, a nonprofit dedicated to providing long-term, nurturing support to children in foster care.
It provides them with love and support, which is essential for these children. Having that one reliable presence truly means everything to them,” the passionate advocate for the group shared with CNN.
What are your thoughts on Simone Biles making history? We’d love to hear your opinions, so please share this story and let’s see what others think about this remarkable athlete!