Simone Biles started 2024 to redeem herself at the Olympics. However, as we near the end of 2024, Biles’ redemption tour has snowballed into a tidal wave of success. After winning three golds in Paris, and leading the Gold Over America Tour, the 27-year-old was among the highest-paid female athletes of the year. However, that wouldn’t be Biles’ final milestone of the year.
Earning $11.1 million throughout the year, the seven-time Olympic gold medalist became the 9th highest-paid female athlete of the year. However, the gymnast’s achievements on and off the mat have arguably made her the most influential. “Congrats to @Simone_Biles on being named to the @financialtimes‘ ‘Most Influential Women of 2024’ list!” revealed Octagon on X.
However, unlike the earnings list by Sportico, the Financial Times’ list wasn’t ranked. Simone Biles was also one of only two athletes on a list populated by celebrities, CEOs, reports, and political leaders. British marathoner Jasmin Paris was the only sporting personality on the list. The editor-in-chief of Vogue, Anna Wintour wrote why Biles made it.
Wintour revealed that it was her redemption in Paris after the disaster in Tokyo in 2024, that contributed to Biles joining the exclusive 25-member club. “The greatest and most decorated gymnast in history, as we all witnessed, again, this summer watching the Paris Olympics,” Wintour wrote in the Financial Times. The testimonial also paid homage to Biles’ resilience.
“She has demonstrated her bravery in so many ways: winning the US nationals with broken toes on both feet, winning the World Championships with a kidney stone,” added Wintour. Besides crediting Biles for gymnastics accolades, FT recognized the world champion’s triumphs in life.
From conquering ADHD to rising above a “broken system,” Wintour dubbed the Olympian’s entire journey “inspirational,” even for those who never stepped foot on the gymnastics mat. However, this year, the highest-paid gymnast‘s success has transcended the sports world.
Simone Biles’ real-life success translated to the same on-reel
The Olympic champion joined celebrities such as Taylor Swift and Emma Watson in the FT list. However, the eleven-time Olympic medalist also made a splash in the entertainment sphere earlier this year. After the defending world champion’s success in the Olympics, she starred in Part 2 of her Netflix documentary.
Simone Biles Rising Part 1 was all about the anticipation leading up to the ultimate redemption. However, Part 2 captured a unique perspective of the American’s return to Olympic glory. Everyone witnessed Biles’ epic triple-gold medal-winning performance in Paris. Meanwhile, the Netflix documentary gave fans a deeper look at the trials and tribulations Biles overcame in Paris
Web documentaries on athletes are becoming a dime a dozen. However, Bile’s success and Netflix’s uniqueness earned Simone Biles Rising a Critics Choice Awards nomination. While that was an achievement, the documentary won not one but two awards. The Netflix production won Best Sports Documentary and Best Limited Documentary Series at the 9th annual Critics Choice Awards.
So it’s safe to say that whether it’s on or off the gymnastics mat, 2024 has been a golden year for the Olympic champion. What started with a shot at redemption has solidified Biles’ place as the GOAT in gymnastics.
