2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games

After Years of Domination, Simone Biles Finally Becomes Household Name

After Years of Domination, Simone Biles Finally Becomes Household Name

Simone Biles has dominated the gymnastics world, and the conversation around it, ever since her meteoric rise to the top of the sport in late 2013.In a spor

Aug 22, 2016 by Rebecca Johnson
After Years of Domination, Simone Biles Finally Becomes Household Name
Simone Biles has dominated the gymnastics world, and the conversation around it, ever since her meteoric rise to the top of the sport in late 2013.

In a sport that only gets its due attention every four years, Biles wasn't widely known outside of gymnastics before she took Rio by storm. But after winning five medals in Rio--four of them, gold--and solidifying herself at the greatest of all time, Biles has stepped into the spotlight as a name known worldwide.

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In fact, after Biles and U.S. swimming star Simone Manuel won their gold medals, NBC News reported that Google Trends showed searches for "Simone baby name" spiked 230 percent in August. These standout Simones have not only inspired other athletes, but also expecting mothers across the globe.


Biles has also garnered the attention of big celebrities; the most exciting for Biles being Zac Efron, who surprised her and the Final Five on the NBC set. There have also been tweets from Taylor Swift, Ellen DeGeneres, President Obama, First Lady Michelle, and many more. Every day holds new media appearances and Biles' Instagram followers shot up by about two million since before the Games.

She was also chosen to be USA's flag bearer for the closing ceremonies--the first female gymnast to earn that honor.



Let's take a look at some #SimoneStats:


Biles is the fifth woman ever, and the first from the USA, to win four gymnastics golds at a single Olympics. Her 19 world and Olympic medals officially make her the most decorated American gymnast of all time.

Number of consecutive AA victories: 14
  • 2013 Nationals
  • 2013 Worlds
  • 2014 Secret U.S. Classic
  • 2014 Nationals
  • 2014 Worlds
  • 2015 City of Jesolo Trophy
  • 2015 American Cup
  • 2015 Secret U.S. Classic
  • 2015 Nationals
  • 2015 Worlds
  • 2016 Pac Rim Championships
  • 2016 Nationals
  • 2016 Olympic Trials
  • 2016 Rio Olympics
Career World/Olympic total medals: 19
AA - 4, VT - 4; BB - 4; FX - 4; Team - 3

Career World/Olympic gold medals: 14
AA - 4; VT - 1, BB - 2, FX - 4, Team - 3

Number of World/Olympic event finals: 13
VT - 4; UB - 1; BB - 4; FX - 4

Margins of victory in World competitions:
2013 Worlds: 0.884
2014 Worlds: 0.466
2015 Worlds: 1.083
2016 Olympics: 2.100

Her enormous success in Rio, paired with her bubbly personality and smile, has made Biles no longer just a superstar in the gymnastics world. She's just a superstar--period. Biles is now living in the wave of glory that has been building for years.


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