Simone Biles Moves Gymnastics Community to Tears With Latest Gesture Toward ‘Olympic Mom’: “You Were a Light”

It’s often media outlets that chase after athletes to appear for interviews, not the other way around. However, Olympic champion Simone Biles made an exception this time for TODAY Show’s Hoda Kotb. As the veteran reporter said goodbye to the show after 17 years, the Olympic gold medalist wanted to be there to surprise her ‘Olympic mom’ on her farewell.

The heartfelt gesture didn’t just move the 60-year-old to tears but also moved the fans. “Thank you Hoda for being team USA gymnasts’ ‘mom’ and biggest fan. You were a light in one of their darkest times, and you supported, cried alongside, and cheered them to GOLD! See you in LA!” one fan commented on TODAY’s YouTube video.

However, the fan wasn’t the only one who cherished Kotb for the role she played in supporting Team USA’s gymnasts throughout the years. Kotb has been a familiar face to Team USA’s gymnasts for over a decade. In fact, the veteran reporter has seen Simone Biles grow up, which was something the NBC reporter mentioned with tears in her eyes.

“I watched you grow up… watched you go to the mountaintop. I mean, I watched you fall down and get back up again,” Hoda Kotb said in the video, wearing an expression of surprise on her face. It was clear as day that among all the celebrities who dropped in to bid adieu to the 60-year-old, the seven-time Olympic medalist equating her to a mother figure moved Kotb the most.

Giving credence to the fan’s comment, Simone Biles revealed Hoda Kotb helped not just her, but all the gymnasts speak about their vulnerabilities. “She’s like our Olympic mom. I’ve been coming to the Today Show for years and sharing vulnerable stories… Hoda has given us such a great platform to be open and raw and to just feel like a safe space,” said the Olympian.

“Hoda is def the best mom” commented another fan after watching the 27-year-old gymnast honor the veteran reporter. Kotb felt similarly emotional, equating the Olympian’s presence with that of winning an Olympic gold. “I don’t have a gold medal, but this feels pretty doggone good right now,” said Kotb. However, besides celebrating the reporter’s illustrious career on NBC, Biles also dropped a major hint about the future.

Simone Biles’ words revealed what may be in store for Hoda Kotb

“What a nice surprise for her last day,” commented a netizen. While it was the journalist’s last day on NBC, it was not the end of the 60-year-old’s career. It was none other than the seven-time Olympic gold medalist who dropped the hint that Kotb isn’t looking to pull the curtains on her career for the foreseeable future.

Although Simone Biles had shown up to honor Hoda Kotb, the news show host couldn’t help but admire the Olympian’s journey. After praising the eleven-time Olympic medalist, Kotb wished the Olympian the best of luck for her future endeavors, and that’s when Biles dropped the hint. “Hopefully we’re in LA together,” said the world champion, stunning everyone in the room.

In fact, Kotb herself seemed surprised at the gymnastics icon’s declaration. However, moments later Kotb broke into a jig, saying, “We broke news on my last day,” responding to Biles’ comment. Kotb had hinted about starting “something new,” but the WCC gymnast was the one who pinpointed what the report might do by the time the 2028 LA Olympics roll around.

Meanwhile, all the speculation and Kotb’s departure led another fan to make their own guess about the NBC show’s future. “Good Luck to Hoda! Who thinks will replace her? I think it’s going to be Savannah,” theorized the fan. However, NBC is yet to reveal who’ll be sitting in Kotb’s chair moving forward. Finally, one fan simply commented on how unique and moving it was to see Biles surprise Kotb.

“That was really special,” commented the fan. And Biles’s tribute may have been the biggest surprise for Hoda Kotb, there was no shortage of celebrities who celebrated the journalist. Oprah Winfrey, Jamie Lee Curtis, California’s former first lady, Maria Shriver, and Gayle King all paid tribute to the 60-year-old’s contribution to media.

However, when all was said and done, Hoda Kotb once again credited Simone Biles. “When I think about all the things I’ve done here over all the 26 years [on NBC], you’re on top of my list,” said the journalist. So, what did you think of the exchange between the Olympic legend and the star report? Let us know in the comments.

Apart from gymnastics and football matches, Simone Biles and her husband, Jonathan Owens’s presence in the basketball games is quite noteworthy. Throughout this time, the gymnast has been showing her support for Houston Rockets, the Southwest division basketball program. In the past, the couple have graced the audience seat in Rockets’ games several times. However, the program is right now in 2nd place in the Western Conference and also thwarted the Lakers’ challenge this week. But recently, both Jonathan and Simone showed up in a basketball game where the Houston Rockets were not on the list. Then?

On Friday night, the Oklahoma City Thunder and New York Knicks locked horns in Madison Square Garden. This was the second time the squads met each other on the court. Yet the match received a lot of hype. The reason? Possibly, it was the potential final matchup this season. Furthermore, for Thunder’s Isaiah Hartenstein, it was the homecoming. The former Knick was at the helm of the center position. So, expectations were high for him. Could he impress Simone Biles and Jonathan Owens?

Not really. The Thunder’s center couldn’t win Jonathan’s vote, despite leading his team to achieve victory. Instead, he showed his support for the Thunder’s point guard. How? Friday, after the game between the Knicks and Thunder, Simone Biles’s husband shared his Instagram story, calling Shai Gilgeous-Alexander a “problem.” In the Instagram story, the NFL safety wrote, “Shai is a problem,” sharing Shai’s snap in the story.

Simone Biles and Jonathan Owens had a much-deserved break from their hectic schedule. Enjoying some exotic food and drinks together, the couple seemed to be having a great time together. However, as much fun-loving as the couple is, both their roots are firmly placed in the realm of sports. Thus, even when in vacation mode, the duo just cannot keep themselves from associating with sports.

In a recent Instagram story of NFL star Jonathan Owens dated January 10, 2025, the Chicago Bears safety posted pictures from their in-game attendance at the Madison Square Garden. Apparently, the duo are currently experiencing the thrill of the NBA as the New York Knicks and the Oklahoma Thunders are fighting it out among themselves. Posting a picture together, Jonathan Owens captioned the Instagram story, “Date Night.”

Simone Biles Seemingly Confirms the Next Step in Her Gymnastics Career After Rampant Retirement Speculation

Simone Biles appears to have just hinted toward her presence at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

The gold medalist dropped by the Today studios on Friday, Jan. 10 to surprise Hoda Kotb on her last day with the morning broadcast, where she made a telling comment suggesting the rampant retirement speculation surrounding her recently may be unfounded.

Biles, 27, the most decorated gymnast in history, recently alluded to her retirement in an interview with Sports Illustrated, where she told the publication, “I’m at a point in my career where I’m humble enough to know when to be done.”

She explained, “Because I’ve accomplished so much, there’s almost nothing left to do, rather than to just be snobby and to try again and for what?”

However, while chatting with Kotb on her final broadcast, the athlete told Kotb, who has already confirmed that she will cover the LA and Milan Olympic games for NBC, “Hopefully we’re in LA together, whatever that means.”

The 11-time Olympic medal winner on her peers at the top of the sporting world.

11-time Olympic artistic gymnastics medallist Simone Biles has been called the GOAT (greatest of all time) for years.

This week, Sports Illustrated quizzed her on some of her peers at the top of the sporting world, asking the 27-year-old to choose between several pairs of athletes on the red carpet for the magazine’s Sportsperson of the Year awards.

“I grew up on LeBron James, so I have to say LeBron James,” said Biles when faced with James or fellow Team USA Olympic champion Michael Jordan.

Next, the gymnast went with six-time Olympic basketball gold medallist Diana Taurasi over James.

“We’re gonna go with women’s sports, so Diana,” said Biles.

Tennis great Serena Williams, a four-time Olympic gold medal winner, was next to face the gauntlet.

“I love Serena – Serena Williams,” Biles beamed.

In the end, it was Williams versus Biles herself.

“Oh, we can both win,” the gymnast said, laughing.

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The annual Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year Awards took place on Tuesday night in Las Vegas, honoring SI’s choices for the most impactful figures in sports in 2024.

Seven-time Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles won the 2024 Sportsperson of the Year award, following her performance at the Paris Olympics where she won four medals, bringing her total Olympic medal count to 11. In her acceptance speech, Biles reflected on her start in gymnastics and her career accomplishments.

“When I started doing gymnastics when I was 6, I never imagined winning medals and everything I’ve been fortunate enough to do up until this point. I just wanted to have fun and hopefully get a college scholarship,” Biles said. “I’ve kind of surpassed all of that, which is super exciting, but everyday I spend competing alongside my teammates is truly a gift.”

Former teammate and long-time friend Aly Raisman presented the award to Biles, who was also joined by her husband and Chicago Bears safety, Jonathan Owens.

Jonathan Owens Joins Simone Biles’ Mother and Co to Celebrate Gymnastics’ GOAT’s Latest Sports Illustrated Achievement

Simone Biles has gone from flipping across the mat to flipping the script on what it means to shine beyond the spotlight! Whether she is winning gold medals in the gym or shining with gold-worthy accolades off the gym, she knows how to keep her star shining. This year began on a high note for her as she was crowned the Sports Illustrated ‘Sportsperson of the Year’ on the 2nd of January, and this was made official by a glamorous event on the 7th of January. Now, her family and friends, including her husband Jonathan Owens, her mom, and many more, are showering her with heartfelt words, celebrating the superstar she is.

Jordan Chiles‘ mom, Gina Chiles, took to her Instagram stories on January 7th to share a heartfelt post from Sports Illustrated, showing all the love Simone Biles is getting from her closest people. Her spouse, Jonathan Owens, was all smiles as he said, “Hey baby, I just want to congratulate you on winning your Sports Person of the Year award…. I’m so happy and so proud of you, baby. The determination and all the hard work that you did to get yourself back into this position, to go out there and do what you love again, babe. It’s been so amazing to see you, how much fun you’ve been having. And I just want to say congratulations, baby, and I can’t wait to celebrate with you. I love you so much.”

Simone’s teammate and bestie, Jordan Chiles, couldn’t hold back her excitement: “Congratulations to my big sis, bestie, and teammate…..You are such an incredible human. Everyone should experience the level of support you gave me in their lifetime. You know that saying, if you shoot for the moon, you’ll land on a star. You are the moon, and chasing your excellence pushed all of us to new levels. Your resilience and dedication inspired not just me, but the entire world. I’m so proud of you, and I can’t wait to see what’s next. Biles and Chiles forever. Love you.”

And, of course, the family had their own sweet words. Simone Biles’ mom, Nellie Biles, kept it simple and sweet: “Simone, congratulations. Very, very proud of you….Sorry, we didn’t wear makeup for this, but next time!” Her sister, Adria Biles, added, “Hi sister, we love you. Congratulations, it’s very well deserved.” Even her former coach, Cecile Landi, couldn’t hold in her excitement: “Hi Simone, I just wanted to send you a huge congratulations for this award. So well deserved…..I’m so glad I get to know you inside, outside the gym. You are truly a gem. Love you and see you soon.”

Even Simone Biles herself couldn’t contain her excitement over this incredible milestone! Chatting with Good Morning America on January 2, she said, “Honestly, it is such a huge honor. I know some of the greats that have won it in prior years, so to just keep gymnastics on the map is really exciting.” She added with her signature humility, “I know a lot of people love the sport of gymnastics during an Olympic year and have followed my career closely, but I was still very shocked.” And guess what? This isn’t the first time Simone’s husband and her family have gushed over her jaw-dropping achievements.

Simone Biles receives all the love from her near and dear ones!

On January 2, the gymnastics universe came together to celebrate the newly minted Sports Illustrated ‘Sportsperson of the Year,’ Simone Biles. And one of her biggest supporters was, of course, her husband, Jonathan Owens. The Chicago Bears safety was over the moon excited, as he shared the news not just once, but twice on his Instagram story. One post came with the heartfelt caption, “So proud of you baby,” while the other was simply a string of love-filled heart emojis. Now that’s the husband’s goal right there!

But wait, the love fest didn’t stop with Owens. Simone’s childhood coach, Aimee Boorman, also celebrated her and wrote, “Never Surprised, Always Proud. Congratulations @simonebiles.” Meanwhile, her sister Adria couldn’t help but gush over the jaw-dropping photoshoot by Shaniqwa Jarvis, featuring Simone in a stunning snake-printed outfit. Adria’s reaction? Pure sister vibes: “ugh she is so prettyyyyyyy.” And let’s not forget Cecile Landi, who sweetly chimed in, “So well deserved.” From family to coaches and everyone in between, Simone’s circle of love just keeps expanding.

Olympic champion Simone Biles was named the 2024 SI Sportsperson of the Year and pulled up to the awards ceremony at the Wynn Las Vegas on Tuesday, January 7.

Biles was accompanied by her husband, Chicago Bears safety Jonathan Owens, and dropped a stunning look on the red carpet.

The gymnastics GOAT was rocking a sparkly minidress that turned heads.

Owens also brought his A-game with a tan suit to match Biles for the arrival as they smiled for the cameras.

At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Biles became the first US woman to win the Olympic all-around gold medal twice, while USA teammate Suni Lee joined her as the only other woman to medal in the all-around competition twice.

It is the first time since 2016 that the United States has placed two women on the podium.

At the Paris Olympics, Biles also won gold in the vault, the all-around team competition, and picked up a silver in bronze. The wins took her Olympic medal count to 11.

Biles joined Věra Čáslavská of Czechoslovakia as the second-most decorated female Olympic gymnast and has the most Olympic medals earned by a U.S. gymnast.

At the World Championships, Biles is the most decorated gymnast – male or female – of all time with 30 total medals (23 gold, four silver, and three bronze).