Get to Know USA Gymnastics Olympian Simone Biles
This post was originally written by WJBR Digital Production Intern, Joy Paganucci. Paganucci is a senior Media Communications Honors student at the University of Delaware from New York, NY. Along with being a Digital Content Intern for WJBR, Paganucci also works as Executive Producer for Real Talk, a show on the UD Student Television Network and as an Oral Communications Consultant in the UD Writing Center.
If you’re a fan of watching gymnastics at the Olympics, you must have heard of Simone Biles. She’s considered one of the greatest athletes, as she is the first woman gymnast to win three consecutive World all-around titles and has the most World Championship gold medals won by a female gymnast in history at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Born on March 14th, 1997 in Columbus, Ohio, this superstar hopes to make more milestones leading the U.S. Olympic Team as it heads to Tokyo. Biles grew up in Spring, Texas, in the Houston metropolitan area, after she and her sister Adria were adopted by their grandparents, Ronald and Nellie Biles. Even at a young age, Biles would always ump around and was introduced to her passion on a school field trip to Bannon’s Gymnastix at the age of six, where she began spontaneously imitating the gymnasts’ moves. She remained there for 11 years under the direction of her coach, Aimee Boorman.
It’s impossible not to root for this 4′ 8″ gymnast legend. Her power and personality shine through just by watching her compete. She trains close to 35 hours per week, but also likes to keep things fun as she is known for inventing new skills during training.
In a new seven-part docuseries on Facebook Watch Simone vs Herself, viewers get a real behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to be Simone Biles. You can see her frustration and struggles, insight to her challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. Biles is known as an inspiration to many. Make-A-Wish Philadelphia, Delaware and Susquehanna Valley shared a message of hope from Biles during the pandemic. You can check it out here.
GALLERY: Simone Biles USA Gymnast
