Simone Biles is currently at the top of the gymnastics world. Determined not to face criticism once more, Biles dominated the competition in Paris. With an astounding three golds and a silver medal, Biles definitively ended the GOAT debate. However, things did not come readily for the champion.
Battling with a torn calf muscle and a hyperextended knee on the very first day of the competition, Biles could have given up. But she was never a quitter. Returning to her roots, the 27-year-old emerged as the epitome of gymnastics excellence. Now, with her immense success propelling her into multiple fields, Biles undoubtedly has no unfulfilled dreams left. Or does she?
Apparently, Biles never achieved her childhood dream. In an exclusive interview with Olympics.com, Simone Biles got candid about her famed life. Revealing her only unfulfilled desire, the champion stated that she always wanted to compete in college gymnastics. Reflecting on the topic, Biles said, “My main goal whenever I started gymnastics and I really, really got into it was to do college gymnastics. And I did everything but that.”
Starting her gymnastics journey as a junior elite at 14, Biles’ talent soon got her busy. Growing up, she was always fascinated by her admission to UCLA and her college team’s NCAA championship wins. Regrettably, she achieved her accolades, albeit on an international scale.
Back in August 2014, Biles verbally committed to UCLA, even signing her National Letter of Intent that November, with a plan to start school after the 2016 Rio Olympics. And let’s face it—finding time for in-person classes wasn’t exactly realistic with her schedule. Simone Biles faced a tough call: either go full-throttle on her gymnastics dreams by turning pro or stick with her dream of competing in the NCAA for UCLA, balancing college life with elite gymnastics.
She decided to focus on vaults and beams full-time! Just a year later, she made the big decision to go pro, announcing in July 2015 that she’d pass on college gymnastics eligibility to pursue her career. Though she couldn’t make it to UCLA’s campus, Biles still finished her education online, studying business administration at the University of the People. And did it all pay off? Absolutely!
She significantly exceeded her initial expectations to become the all-time greatest gymnast. People recognize Biles almost everywhere she goes, but when they compare her to the likes of LeBron James and Serena Williams, it overwhelms her. Despite missing out on her childhood dreams, Biles will gladly accept this comparison. However, having been involved with the sport for such a long time, Simone Biles still feels like she is the same old girl who started to jump around her house trying to be a star.
Simone Biles Tries to Keep the Fame—Hype “Normal”
Imagine spotting Simone Biles out in the open. The immediate rush of fans and the innumerable flashlights will surely be an expected phenomenon. Well, this is something that sometimes overwhelms the champion. She asserts that she still embodies the essence of Simone. Indeed, Biles strives to maintain her authenticity as much as possible. She still munches on her favorite American pizza and also participates in friendly banter with her family and teammates.
Therefore, Simone Biles strives to maintain her normalcy whenever she receives recognition as a star. In an interview with Olympics.com, Biles expressed, “Everywhere we go, it still blows my mind that somebody recognizes me, because to me, I’m just Simone, and I try to be as normal as possible, and I truly believe I am.” I believe I maintain a calm demeanor, and if I weren’t Simone, I would pursue all my desires.