This gymnast’s debut on the world stage began at the 2016 Rio Olympics, where her powerful performances not only won her admiration, but also a medal. While she shared the Olympic floor with names like Simone Biles, being in the Final Five, she carved out a place of her own in the sport. Expectations were high for her return at the Tokyo Games, but a mix of personal growth, injuries, and the global pandemic led her to step away from competition. And now, it’s drum rolls for her comeback onto the stage again. How so?

A hand over her mouth, eyes wide open, an emotion of certain shock but also that of happiness, overwhelming joy. That is how Laurie Hernandez looked in her latest Instagram post. But why was she shocked? The caption had the story, “woah! we won a Sports Emmy!! go team!!” it read. Yes, Simone Biles’ teammate from the Rio Olympics, a member of the Final Five, has won an Emmy. Something the most decorated gymnast of all time is yet to receive. What did the Olympian win a Sports Emmy for?

After retiring from competitive gymnastics, Laurie Hernandez took on a role as an NBC Sports analyst and correspondent. She returned to the Olympic stage as an NBC correspondent covering women’s gymnastics during the Paris Olympics. The whole show has won the Emmy for the Outstanding Live Special – Championship Event. The former gymnast reacted to The Emmys’ official post, saying “WAIT WHAT“.

The official account of Emmy took notice and quoted, “Olympic champion AND Emmy winner @LaurieHernandez ! #SportsEmmys.” She had been nominated for Emmys before as well. She was a part of the 2021 docuseries Defying Gravity: The Untold Story of Women’s Gymnastics, which explored the evolution of women’s gymnastics and the challenges athletes face, including body image, ageism, and abuse within the sport.

The series featured prominent gymnasts such as Hernandez, Aly Raisman, and Jordyn Wieber. Defying Gravity was nominated for a 2021 Sports Emmy Award for Outstanding Edited Sports Series and won the 2021 Producers Guild of America Award for Outstanding Sports Program. UFC The Walk – McGregor vs. Cowboy took the Emmy that year.

Simone Biles almost had an Emmy

Simone Biles Rising is a four-part documentary series produced by Religion of Sports in partnership with the International Olympic Committee and Olympic Channel Services. It premiered on Netflix on July 17, 2024, with the remaining episodes releasing in October 2024. The series offers an intimate look at Simone Biles’ journey, focusing on her mental health challenges during the Tokyo Olympics and her determination to return to competitive gymnastics in preparation for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

The series was nominated for the 2021 Sports Emmy Award for Outstanding Edited Sports Series, competing against other strong contenders like UFC The Walk – McGregor vs. Cowboy, which ultimately won the Emmy that year. Beyond the Emmy nod, the series earned several other prestigious nominations and awards, including two wins at the 2024 Critics’ Choice Documentary Awards for Best Sports Documentary and Best Limited Documentary Series. It was also nominated for the Producers Guild of America Award for Outstanding Sports Program in 2025.

These documentaries, though based on individual athletes, shed a wider light on the challenges faced by everyone who comes with higher aspirations. While Biles came close to securing an Emmy nomination for her story, it’s Hernandez who now stands with an Emmy in hand, not limiting Simone’s efforts in any capacity.

Simone Biles — the most decorated gymnast in history, a global icon, and a relentless advocate for mental health and gender equality — just got a $28.5 million reminder of how the world still sees female athletes. To sum up her listing on the Forbes’ list of highest-paid female athletes, lets say– so close, yet so far!

The message was clear, there’s still plenty to worry about in women’s sports even in 2025. Last year when the list of the top 10 highest-paid female athletes was released by Forbes, and Simone Biles was included. She’d ranked 10th, thanks to her $11.2M earnings that year. But she, or for that matter, any woman player, remained absent from the combined list of the world’s highest-paid athletes. Today, it’s been a year since that, and it looks like nothing has changed.

Fast forward to May 2025, Forbes has again released its list of the highest-paid athletes of this year. And once again, Cristiano Ronaldo topped it, for the third year in a row. Alongside were names like Steph Curry, Tyson Fury, and Dak Prescott. But surprisingly, for the second consecutive year, no woman, including Simone Biles, lands among the world’s 50 highest-paid athletes.

To answer the question why– the cutoff for 2025’s top 50 athletes is set at $53.6 million, which is a 19% jump from the $45.2 million required to make the list last year. And Simone Biles‘ earnings, $11M, which she made till December 2024, are still way too less to match this bar. Now this will be irrespective of her medals, her sponsorships, or her net worth. Yes, as of 2025, sources deem her net worth to be around an approximate $25 M. Even with that, she’s nowhere near the bar.

This ain’t it. Simone Biles has a number of endorsement deals with brands like Visa, Uber Eats, K18, Tide, and sponsors like Athleta and Nike. Still, it isn’t enough to match the male athletes, who earn $100-$275 million annually. Therefore, not just Simone Biles, but no other athletes like Coco Gauff, Caitlin Clarke, etc, have featured on that list yet. This time, it’s not even gymnastics that held her back, because even the top tennis and basketball women stars have missed the cut. Thus, women’s sports continue to be largely overlooked.

Simone Biles has always advocated for women’s sports

When compared with the all-time athletics GOATS, Simone Biles has always maintained, “I’m not the next Usain Bolt or Michael Phelps, I’m the first Simone Biles.” She has always taken a stand for the right, just like when she advocated the importance of mental health in gymnastics. She continues to push the boundaries of what women can do in her sport.

In fact, she’s a big supporter of the entire “women in sport” fight. After the Paris Olympics, Simone Biles proudly reacted to the fact that, “It was super exciting that, finally, 50% of the athletes at the Games were females.” For the first time IOC had ensured full female and male parity. However, looks like in terms of proportionate pay and opportunities, the female athletes still have a long way to go. What do you think? Let us know below!

The 2023 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships, the one where Simone Biles came back like she never left, dominating the all-around. Reclaiming the top spot and walking away with three individual apparatus medals. It was a moment of sheer brilliance, the kind only Biles can deliver. But fast forward to 2025, and things are eerily quiet on the queen’s front. No official announcements, no training clips, no bold declarations about her next world title. Outside of her brief NCAA appearance to support Cecile Landi, Simone’s been spending time away from the gym spotlight.

And yet, as the World Championships prepare to make their historic debut in Asia, Team USA isn’t slowing down. In fact, the American camp is heating up. A wave of big-name former champions, Biles’ ex-teammates, and seasoned contenders are already being called in for evaluation and prep. The roster is deep, familiar, and fiercely competitive. Signaling that even without Biles front and center (for now), Team USA has no intention of loosening its grip on global dominance.

Inside Gymnastics took to Instagram, highlighting, “The United States is currently hosting a Training Camp as the Elite season kicks into high gear!” And they’re not kidding. Olympic gold medalist Hezly Rivera (WOGA) is in the mix, along with Olympic alternates Joscelyn Roberson (Arkansas) and Leanne Wong (Florida), plus World medalist Skye Blakely (Florida/WOGA). That’s not just a camp!

It’s a powerhouse huddle of talent. As questions swirl around Simone Biles’ return, this roster sends a strong message: the next wave of leadership isn’t waiting in the wings. They’re already here. All eyes now turn to New Orleans, where the stage will be set for the 2025 U.S. Gymnastics Championships, running August 7–10 at the Smoothie King Center.

This premier event will showcase the nation’s top junior and senior athletes as they chase national titles and crucial spots on the U.S. National Team. The very pipeline that will feed into the World Championships in Jakarta later this fall. And while the Championships are the headline, the weekend will also host the USA Gymnastics National Congress and Trade Show. Expected to bring more than 2,500 industry professionals to the Crescent City.

With the post-Olympic cycle in full swing, this summer is less of a cooldown and more of a relaunch. USA Gymnastics CEO Li Li Leung captured the moment best: “The post-Olympic year is when athletes begin their build toward 2028, when the Summer Olympic Games return to the United States for the first time since 1996.” With that long game in mind, New Orleans, known for its championship pedigree, is stepping back into the spotlight.

As new stars emerge, all eyes turn back to the Gymnastics goat

Simone Biles, often dubbed the undisputed GOAT of gymnastics, has etched her name into the Code of Points not once. But five times! Twice on floor, twice on vault, and once on beam. Her legendary repertoire showcases not just skill but courage, with each element pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the sport. Now, the trend she started continues.

At the 2025 Antalya World Cup, China’s Yang Fanyuwei made waves by performing a full-twisting Jaeger on uneven bars during qualifications. Her move, soon to be recognized as “The Yang” (pending FIG approval), is a stunning example of the global inspiration Biles has ignited. And following in that trail of bold innovation, yet another high school gymnast has stepped up. Signaling a thrilling new era of technical creativity.

But while names are being added to the Code, Biles’ dominance remains untouched. Paul Juda recently reminded the gymnastics world why Simone’s name still commands unmatched respect. Posting a video on May 19 of himself performing the Yurchenko double pike vault just before the 2023 Core Hydration Classic. He captioned it perfectly, “That’s why she’s the GOAT 🤯.”

The clip needed no music, no effects, just raw skill. And it brought back memories of Biles’ exclusive relationship with that very vault. She’s only competed in it five times: at the 2021 U.S. Classic, the Olympic Trials, the 2022 and 2023 World Championships, and finally, the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she blew the field away with a 15.766. Five times in four years. That’s how rare and risky this vault is.

Juda’s effort proves that, with enough grit, even the scariest elements in gymnastics can be approached. But there’s still a difference between doing the move and owning it. For now, that ownership belongs solely to Simone. As we edge closer to the 2025 World Championships, one can’t help but wonder: will the queen herself return? And remind the world who still sets the standard? With her history, her moves, and her aura. One thing’s for sure: nobody steals the spotlight quite like Simone Biles.

Simone Biles’ $11M Earnings Fall Short as Heartbreaking Reality of Women’s Sports Out in Public

Simone Biles — the most decorated gymnast in history, a global icon, and a relentless advocate for mental health and gender equality — just got a $28.5 million reminder of how the world still sees female athletes. To sum up her listing on the Forbes’ list of highest-paid female athletes, lets say– so close, yet so far!

The message was clear, there’s still plenty to worry about in women’s sports even in 2025. Last year when the list of the top 10 highest-paid female athletes was released by Forbes, and Simone Biles was included. She’d ranked 10th, thanks to her $11.2M earnings that year. But she, or for that matter, any woman player, remained absent from the combined list of the world’s highest-paid athletes. Today, it’s been a year since that, and it looks like nothing has changed.

Fast forward to May 2025, Forbes has again released its list of the highest-paid athletes of this year. And once again, Cristiano Ronaldo topped it, for the third year in a row. Alongside were names like Steph Curry, Tyson Fury, and Dak Prescott. But surprisingly, for the second consecutive year, no woman, including Simone Biles, lands among the world’s 50 highest-paid athletes.

To answer the question why– the cutoff for 2025’s top 50 athletes is set at $53.6 million, which is a 19% jump from the $45.2 million required to make the list last year. And Simone Biles‘ earnings, $11M, which she made till December 2024, are still way too less to match this bar. Now this will be irrespective of her medals, her sponsorships, or her net worth. Yes, as of 2025, sources deem her net worth to be around an approximate $25 M. Even with that, she’s nowhere near the bar.

This ain’t it. Simone Biles has a number of endorsement deals with brands like Visa, Uber Eats, K18, Tide, and sponsors like Athleta and Nike. Still, it isn’t enough to match the male athletes, who earn $100-$275 million annually. Therefore, not just Simone Biles, but no other athletes like Coco Gauff, Caitlin Clarke, etc, have featured on that list yet. This time, it’s not even gymnastics that held her back, because even the top tennis and basketball women stars have missed the cut. Thus, women’s sports continue to be largely overlooked.

Simone Biles has always advocated for women’s sports

When compared with the all-time athletics GOATS, Simone Biles has always maintained, “I’m not the next Usain Bolt or Michael Phelps, I’m the first Simone Biles.” She has always taken a stand for the right, just like when she advocated the importance of mental health in gymnastics. She continues to push the boundaries of what women can do in her sport.

In fact, she’s a big supporter of the entire “women in sport” fight. After the Paris Olympics, Simone Biles proudly reacted to the fact that, “It was super exciting that, finally, 50% of the athletes at the Games were females.” For the first time IOC had ensured full female and male parity. However, looks like in terms of proportionate pay and opportunities, the female athletes still have a long way to go. What do you think? Let us know below!

Simone Biles — the most decorated gymnast in history, a global icon, and a relentless advocate for mental health and gender equality — just got a $28.5 million reminder of how the world still sees female athletes. To sum up her listing on the Forbes’ list of highest-paid female athletes, lets say– so close, yet so far!

Simone Biles — the most decorated gymnast in history, a global icon, and a relentless advocate for mental health and gender equality — just got a $28.5 million reminder of how the world still sees female athletes. To sum up her listing on the Forbes’ list of highest-paid female athletes, lets say– so close, yet so far!

To answer the question why– the cutoff for 2025’s top 50 athletes is set at $53.6 million, which is a 19% jump from the $45.2 million required to make the list last year. And Simone Biles‘ earnings, $11M, which she made till December 2024, are still way too less to match this bar. Now this will be irrespective of her medals, her sponsorships, or her net worth. Yes, as of 2025, sources deem her net worth to be around an approximate $25 M. Even with that, she’s nowhere near the bar.

This ain’t it. Simone Biles has a number of endorsement deals with brands like Visa, Uber Eats, K18, Tide, and sponsors like Athleta and Nike. Still, it isn’t enough to match the male athletes, who earn $100-$275 million annually. Therefore, not just Simone Biles, but no other athletes like Coco Gauff, Caitlin Clarke, etc, have featured on that list yet. This time, it’s not even gymnastics that held her back, because even the top tennis and basketball women stars have missed the cut. Thus, women’s sports continue to be largely overlooked.

Simone Biles has always advocated for women’s sports

When compared with the all-time athletics GOATS, Simone Biles has always maintained, “I’m not the next Usain Bolt or Michael Phelps, I’m the first Simone Biles.” She has always taken a stand for the right, just like when she advocated the importance of mental health in gymnastics. She continues to push the boundaries of what women can do in her sport.

In fact, she’s a big supporter of the entire “women in sport” fight. After the Paris Olympics, Simone Biles proudly reacted to the fact that, “It was super exciting that, finally, 50% of the athletes at the Games were females.” For the first time IOC had ensured full female and male parity. However, looks like in terms of proportionate pay and opportunities, the female athletes still have a long way to go. What do you think? Let us know below!

Simone Biles and Jonathan Owens Spotted Cozying Up During MLB Game After Expensive Addition to $3 Million Family Project

Simone Biles is back in Chicago—and let’s just say she is wasting no time making it feel like home again. She gave a sneak peek at what’s going on with her life with a simple Instagram story. Just one photo—a Porsche showroom. Bright floors, gleaming cars, and a caption that read, “Looking at cars today for our Chicago home.” Not letting on much, but enough that said, she was ready to make a luxe purchase for her home.

Then, flash forward a few hours, and she posted another story. This time, with two Porsche keys. Yes, she got it. The Olympic legend has added another sleek ride to her growing collection right in the middle of her Windy City return. But the day didn’t end with the roar of the engines, though. It wrapped up under the MLB stadium lights!

Fans spotted Simone Biles and her husband, Jonathan Owens, at the Chicago Cubs game. They were all cozied up in the stands, simply sharing a good laugh, whispering, and just soaking up some ‘chi’ time. And they were even decked up wearing the Cubs jerseys. Later, even Simone Biles herself posted a story from the stands and captioned it “summer time chi”—a quiet nod to how much Chicago feels like home. Fans, too, were more than thrilled watching the couple in the stands. One fan even wrote, “How cool to see the GOAT at Wrigley.” 

Just months ago, Biles and Owens were busy bouncing between the coasts, just globe-trotting from Madrid to South Africa. She even bid an emotional farewell to Chicago back at the start of the year. Now, with Owens geared up for another season, it seems like the couple is planting their roots, complete with luxury cars in their $3 million home and all.

But of course, Simone being Simone, and the entire week can’t be all about play for her. Just days before this Chicago Cubs sighting, she was actually at Washington University in St. Louis. She received an honorary doctorate and delivered a speech that even left Owens singing her praises. To be exact, he had posted about it, saying, “Best commencement speaker ever.” Well, for fans, these sneak peeks matter plenty. It shows them life’s sweet spots amidst all the bright lights of the sport.

Before Simone Biles was the GOAT, she was just a girl with a dream

Long before Simone Biles became the global icon—the face of American gymnastics—and before the gold medals and the world titles and the crazy routines, she was just a wide-eyed 15-year-old in St. Louis. It was 2012. The VISA National Championships just wrapped up, and Biles placed third in the all-around competition. On paper, it was good. But for Simone Biles, it was a turning point. As she was standing there on the podium beside Lexie Priessman and Madison Desch, she didn’t feel proud—she was stunned. In her autobiography, Courage to Soar, she later admitted, “I could hardly believe that my dream was coming true.”

When the names of the junior national team flashed across hers among many, she couldn’t stop smiling. She grinned till her face even hurt. That moment was the moment, the quiet before the storm. The beginning of something that would change not just her life but women’s gymnastics forever. Now fast forward to this weekend; she was in Chicago, this time not under the arena lights but ballpark ones. The crowd wasn’t just cheering for her—Simone was right there, cheering on the Chicago Cubs too, at a time when they were lighting up a stellar show.

Dansby Swanson got the party started with a home run, and Pete Crow-Armstrong kept the fireworks coming with another clutch performance. The Cubs, in the end, beat the White Sox 7-3, and it was a milestone for them. This marked their franchise record seventh straight win over their crosstown rivals.

Simone’s story shows that it all starts with showing up. What do you think?

Simone Biles’ Husband Jonathan Owens is Turning Heads for His Latest Move

Chicago Bears safety Jonathan Owens has been busy in the past few weeks, as he spent some time attending big events with his wife, Olympic gymnast Simone Biles. Despite that, however, Owens hasn’t forgotten to give back to the community and make an impact off the field.

Owens and Biles have been making headlines as of late. During the Kentucky Derby earlier this May, the two turned a lot of heads when they arrived in matching purple outfits.

The NFL veteran even went viral for his behavior toward the seven-time Olympic gold medalist, as he showed his unwavering support while his wife did the iconic “Riders Up” call during the event.

After the Derby, the couple was spotted at the 2025 Met Gala in New York, where they arrived in coordinated outfits. While Biles wore a blue minidress with a flowing train, Owens rocked an all-white outfit with blue accents.

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On Thursday, Owens grabbed plenty of attention once again. This time, however, it’s not something he did with Biles but rather for his heartfelt gesture to the community.

In a post on Instagram, Jonathan Owens revealed that he visited a children’s hospital on Wednesday and spent time with the kids there.

“Met some cool kids at the children’s hospital yesterday,” Owens wrote, while sharing photos from his visit.

The comments section of the post was flooded with messages of appreciation, while many others heaped praise on Owens for his action.

“Thank you so much for coming yesterday! The kids absolutely adored the visit!” a commenter wrote. Another one said, “This act of spreading love is absolutely BEAUTIFUL.”

“JO you are so sweet! God bless you,” a fan shared.

A supporter added, “Awesomeness.”

“Selfless Service,” a social media user remarked.

A sixth follower stated, “Thank you for doing good with your status!”

It remains to be seen what’s next for Owens and Biles as they enjoy their offseason. One thing is clear, though: the couple is committed to making a difference in everything they do.

Simone Biles knows it’s impossible to score a “perfect 10” in gymnastics since the open-ended scoring method was adopted in 2006.

Biles, who has posted 9.9 scores in various events during her historic USA Gymnastics career, told Washington University graduates on Monday May 12, 2025, that perfection is not as important as personal growth and achievement.

“The world doesn’t need you to be perfect. It needs you to be bold. It needs you to care. It needs you to keep going even when things don’t go as planned,” Biles said while delivering the Washington University Commencement address at Francis Field.

“Go out there and write your own story. Only one that you can tell.”

Biles could be considered an honorary St. Louisan by marriage. Her husband, Jonathan Owens, was a star linebacker at CBC High School and Missouri Western University. He is now in his eighth NFL season and a member of the Green Bay Packers.

The couple married in 2023, and they often attend each other’s major events and share experiences in their lives on social media. This included the 2025 Kentucky Derby where Biles issued the traditional “Riders Up” call.

Biles called on Wash U graduates to not strive to be “the greatest,” but to be “the greatest you.”

“People often refer to me as ‘The GOAT,’” Biles said to cheers of graduates and those at graduation.

“Not the animal but the ‘Greatest of All Times.’ I’m not going to lie, once in a while it does give me chills thinking about what I’ve accomplished in gymnastics.”

The 28-year-old Biles, who took a short leave from the sport to deal with sports-related anxiety, starred 2024 Paris Olympics for Team USA, becoming the fourth American artistic gymnast to compete in three Olympic Games.

She has won seven Olympic gold medals—three in Paris and four in Rio de Janeiro in 2016. In addition, she holds two silver medals and two bronze. Biles also has 30 medals in internation competition making her the most decorated woman gymnasts of all time.

“Being ‘The GOAT was never the goal. All I ever wanted was to be the greatest Simone I could be. My goal was to be the greatest Simone Biles of all time. I wanted, and still drive for that today,” Biles said meekly.

When I start to get in my head and doubt myself, I reflect on what my mom instilled in me from a very young age – to be the very best Simone you can be each and every day. Thank you, mom.”

Biles said success in academics is much like athletic accomplishment.

“It requires sacrifice and dedication. There is a lot of fun along the way but to make it to the top, you also really need to find joy in the work,” she said.

Biles said the celebration was for more than students receiving a diploma.

“We are also celebrating you for the work you put in [and] for all the sacrifices you made to get here. For all the challenges you have overcome, and how your time at Wash U will continue to help you be the best you that you can be as you move forward in your future endeavors,” Biles said.

“I encourage you to stay creative. No matter what your goals are, or what you’re working in, prioritize your creative thinking. No one, and I mean no one, achieves success in a straight line.

“In order to be the greatest you of all time, embrace the opportunity to be a leader. Keep an eye on the rear-view mirror as you pave a trail for those who look up to you, for those who may want to follow in your footsteps. You never know who may be watching.”

Now, the world will watch to see if Biles will compete in the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles – and possible add to her “GOAT” legacy.