15 Times Simone Biles Defied Gravity: Photos From the Olympics, U.S. Championships & More

There’s absolutely no doubt about it: Simone Biles is one of the greatest American athletes. Since tumbling onto the scene at the 2016 Olympics, Biles has continued to prove her incredible athleticism in gymnastics, all the while making history with every flip, spin, and mid-air split. If you’re not wholly convinced, let’s just rattle off a few of her astonishing accomplishments.

At the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, Biles took home four gold medals for Team, All-Around, Vault and Floor Exercise, along with a bronze medal for her Balance Beam routine. As of 2021, Biles holds a whopping 19 gold medals from the World Championships, two from the Pacific Rim Championships, and two from the GIF All-Around World Cup. If you’ve lost count, that’s more than 25 gold medals among four different events!

During the 2018 World Championships, Biles performed a Vault movement that was so difficult and unique, it was named after her. What’s more, that’s only one of four moves that bears the athlete’s name. But along with her brilliance and artistry on the mat, Biles is also a respectable sportsperson. Using her platform, Biles continues to stand for so much more than just the sport she participates in, consistently highlighting social issues and advocating for survivors of abuse — especially within the U.S. Gymnastics organization.

Simone Biles’s many accomplishments are truly awe-inspiring to so many, and not just because we can barely do a summersault. Her advocacy, coupled with her athleticism makes her true champion, one we cannot help but celebrate and uplift. Take a look at some of the moments where she defied gravity below.

A version of this article was originally posted on July 2021.

Simone Biles competes in the floor exercise during the U.S. women’s gymnastics championships on June 26, 2016, in St. Louis.

Simone Biles competes in the floor exercise during the U.S. women’s gymnastics championships on June 26, 2016, in St. Louis.

Simone Biles competes on the uneven bars during the women’s U.S. Olympic gymnastics trials in San Jose, Calif., on July 10, 2016.

Simone Biles competes on the balance beam at the U.S. Gymnastics Championships on Aug. 17, 2018, in Boston.

Simone Biles warms up on the vault at the U.S. Gymnastics Championships on Aug. 19, 2018, in Boston.

In this Aug. 19, 2018 photo, Simone Biles competes on the uneven bars at the U.S. Gymnastics Championships in Boston.

Simone Biles competes on the floor exercise at the U.S. Gymnastics Championships on Aug. 19, 2018, in Boston.

Simone Biles competes on the vault during the U.S. Gymnastics Championships on June 6, 2021, in Fort Worth, Texas.

Simone Biles competes on the vault during the women’s U.S. Olympic Gymnastics Trials on June 25, 2021, in St. Louis.

Simone Biles competes on the balance beam during the women’s U.S. Olympic Gymnastics Trials on June 27, 2021, in St. Louis.

Simone Biles performs during qualifying sessions for the Gymnastics World Championships in Stuttgart, Germany on Oct. 5, 2019.

Simone Biles performs on the floor during women’s team final at the Gymnastics World Championships in Stuttgart, Germany on Oct. 8, 2019.

Simone Biles performs on the uneven bars in the women’s all-around final at the Gymnastics World Championships in Stuttgart, Germany, on Oct. 10, 2019.

Simone Biles competes in the vault at the U.S. Gymnastics Championships on Aug. 9, 2019.

Simone Biles performs on the balance beam in the women’s team final at the artistic gymnastics world championships in Stuttgart, Germany on Oct. 8, 2019.