Beyond the Medals: Simone Biles
As a teenager obsessed with my phone and social media I spend a considerable amount of my time scrolling through various forms of social media. Lately my attention has been captivated by the world of gymnastics and its greatest athlete of all time- Simone Biles. With the gymnastics world championships underway in full swing, my entire instagram and tiktok feed is occupied with her life updates and videos of her mesmerizing performance.
The best part of following a sport now is the unprecedented access we have into athletes' lives through their personal social media accounts. Simone Biles is undoubtedly one of the greatest athletes of all time, which is why it's fascinating how down to earth and relatable she is. Biles took a couple of years off after the Tokyo Olympics to spend some quality time with her family and friends. The period leading up to this new competition cycle has been full of anticipation and expectations. As one of the oldest and decorated competitors on the gymnastic circuit, Biles gives us a window into her comeback journey. Her tiktok page not only showcases her outstanding gymnastic skills but also covers her everyday life. From candid training moments to lighthearted humor, from makeup routines and get ready with me videos, to recaps of her tournaments, Simone offers an intimate window into her life. Her content is more than just entertaining, it shows us the REAL Simone biles- the one who faces failure and challenges, shares her vulnerabilities, and triumphs over them with true determination.
I am in awe of her resilience, determination and down to earth nature. Seeing a multiple time olympic champion grapple with similar issues like me, whether it is a failed routine or a fun dance battle humanizes her and makes her more relatable.
Her consistent updates create a sense of intimacy, and it feels like we are following a friend through her journey. It makes us realize that she is not all about the flips and medals and that there is a real person behind the Icon Simone Biles.