When it comes to gymnastics at the Olympics, no name is spoken about more than Simone Biles. At 27, she’s already considered the most decorated gymnast of all time, according to the Olympics.
Biles enters her third Summer Games in Paris on Saturday with a combined 37 World championship and Olympic medals. The gymnastics star will embark on what she describes as a “redemption tour” to recoup her world titles following her withdrawal from multiple events at the Tokyo Games.
Biles’ gymnastics success is unparalleled. However, the beginning of her journey in the sport wasn’t perfect. Here's what to know about Biles’ childhood, and her path from a young gymnastics prodigy to the most decorated gymnast of all time:
MORE: How Simone Biles is already among greatest U.S. Olympics ever
Simone Biles hometown
Simone Biles was born in Columbus, Ohio. However, the prolific gymnast and her siblings—sisters Ashley and Adria and brother Tevin—were placed in foster care because of their mom’s fight with substance abuse. As a result, after a handful of years in foster care, Biles’ grandfather, Ron, and her grandmother, Nellie, adopted her and Adria and raised them in Spring, Texas.
Simone Biles high school
Biles did not attend a traditional high school. In 2012, after spending her early years in the public school system, she entered home schooling and completed all requirements for her high school degree in 2015. Transitioning to homeschool also allowed Biles to expand her hours of training to roughly 32 hours each week.
Did Simone Biles go to college?
Biles elected to pursue college in an online setting after her colossal success at the 2016 Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro. However, prior to that decision, the 27-year-old initially committed to UCLA in November 2014. Her goal was to postpone her enrollment to the Bruins’ program until after the 2016 Olympics. However, on July 29, 2015, Biles elected to forgo college and begin her professional gymnastics career.
MORE: The 33 greatest United States summer Olympians, from Jesse Owens to Evelyn Ashford
Simone Biles college degree
After the Rio Games, Biles pursued a business administration degree at the University of the People. In 2018, she told VOA News that she “always wanted to work in the business industry” and credited her mom and brothers as key reasons why she chose the field.
How old was Simone Biles in first Olympics?
Biles was 19 when she competed in her first Olympics at the 2016 Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro. She delivered an epic performance, winning four gold medals and one bronze.
Biles also received the highest honor for Team USA and earned the highest recognition for her individual performances in the all-around, floor and the vault.
