Simone Biles is coming to Athens, Georgia.

On Monday, Georgia’s gymnastics program announced on X (formerly Twitter) that one of the world’s greatest Olympic athletes will be in attendance for its first home meet on Jan. 17, 2025, against Boise State.

Biles’ Team USA gymnastics coach Cecile Canqueteau-Landi is entering her first season as the Bulldogs’ co-head coach.

Biles’ trip to Athens will be her second visit to the state of Georgia in the last few months, as she and her fellow Team USA gymnasts performed at Gas South Arena in Duluth, Georgia on Oct. 13 as part of the Gold Over America Tour.

Maia Campbell, a 10-year-old gymnast enthusiast, is taking on a challenge that most could only dream of—traveling 1,400 miles from her home in Jamaica to Houston, Texas. You are wondering what it could be. None other than to compete in the Simone Biles Invitational in January 2025. And this is just the beginning for her. For Maia, this isn’t just another event! It’s more than just a gymnastics competition; it’s a golden opportunity to showcase her talent, gain exposure, and learn from some of the best in the world, and trust me, she’s so excited; it’d elevate your spirit!

Maia is a dreamer, wanting to represent Jamaica at the Olympics and make everyone proud in her country and family. This journey to this event is proof of her passion, determination, and the support of her family. She prepares to step onto the mat at the Simone Biles Invitational this January, but before that she needs our support. Her story is going to serve as an inspiration to young athletes everywhere, reminding us all that with hard work and belief, any dream is within reach.

The start of a star in the making—Maia Campbell

So how did Maia get into gymnastics? In fact, the answer to this is unpredictable, but it will definitely put a smile onto your face; also, it almost began by accident. It was her mother’s keen eye that noticed her flipping around the house, a sign of the raw talent that no one at that time guessed would eventually take her to international competitions. “I got interested when my mom noticed me flipping all around the house… It was fun, and I really enjoyed it, so I wanted to continue,” says Maia, her eyes lighting up with excitement as she recalls it.

When she was three, her natural abilities were clear, and she joined gymnastics in 2014. Since then, Maia has gone kaboom on her training! From strength to strength, balancing the rigorous schedule, she still shines in her class after all that, maintaining an average of 90th percentile as a grade five student at Stella Maris Preparatory School. What an exceptional little girl! “Maia’s gymnastics journey was not just about flips and tricks,” says Yolande Hylton, her mother. “The coaches recognized it wasn’t just about climbing furniture… Maia had real talent.” 

Yolande’s words reflect the early recognition of Maia’s abilities, leading to her invitation to join Nishida’s Gymnastics NGR Star and USAG Programme in the year 2020. This was the start of a series of impressive achievements that led her to this day, from winning first place in the USAG Level 1 All-Around at the Gasparilla Classics in Tampa, Florida, in 2022, to qualifying for Jamaica’s Junior Gymnastics Team in 2023. Maia’s story is one of the best rapid progressions, with her dedication and the sacrifices made by her family to nurture her talent, and now she is about to fly 1400 miles to make her dream true, and it’s going to be all worth it!

Moving forward, Maia’s recent wins have been a clear indication of her readiness. In 2023, she earned second place in USAG Level 4 at the Jamaica Gymnastics Classics and then headed to secure first place in USAG Level 5 at the Jamaica Carifta Trials in October. She won first place overall at the Jamaica Gymnastics Classics in December 2023. This event, where she was placed first in bars, second in balance beam, third in vault, and fourth in floor, was a great milestone for her. It only solidified her place among the top young gymnasts in Jamaica; these performances scream—she’s ready!

The opportunity at the Simone Biles Invitational

Maia stops by Smile Jamaica TVJ to share her journey and seek support for her dream. The Simone Biles Invitational is a dream come true for so many. A lifetime of an opportunity for young athletes to gain exposure, mentorship, and experience in gymnastics. For Maia, it’s a chance to test herself against the best in the world and to learn from Simone Biles herself, whose vision for the event is to train young talents. “It’s not just about winning,” says Maia. “It’s about learning and growing, pushing myself to be the best version of me.” Maia will be looking to gain insights from the world’s top coaches and to showcase the hard work she’s put in over the years.

However, for Maia and her family, the path to Houston is not without its challenges. “We need additional support to cover travel costs and competition fees,” says Yolande Hylton. “Sponsorship is crucial for Maia to reach her full potential at this event.” Campbell’s family is hoping to gather support from the vast community to help Maia make this journey, which is far more than just about traveling 1,400 miles—it’s about investing in her future and the future of gymnastics in Jamaica. With the financial burden of travel, accommodation, and other expenses, this challenge gets into the critical role that community support plays, and it’s going to play out very well.

Maia Campbell has gotten so far, and now as she prepares for the Simone Biles Invitational, she needs the power and support of a loving community. Her mother, Yolande Hylton, has been her biggest cheerleader, making sacrifices to ensure that Maia has the best chance to succeed. “My mom encouraged me to keep going, even when I wanted to quit,” says Maia, reflecting on her journey so far. In the upcoming invitational and other developmental opportunities, there’s a call for readers to support Maia. Not just as a gymnast but as a symbol of hope for young athletes everywhere. “By sponsoring Maia,” says Hylton, “you’re not just investing in her—you’re investing in the future of gymnastics in Jamaica and supporting a talented young athlete on her path to greatness.” This is a chance to be part of Maia’s journey, to watch her grow and shine on a global stage, and to help build the legacy of gymnastics in Jamaica.

Simone Biles, hailed as the most decorated U.S. Olympic gymnast, secured yet another gold medal on Tuesday during the women’s team final at the 2024 Olympic Games held in Paris. Her thrilling performances have been captivating not just fans worldwide, but particularly the young aspiring gymnasts who look up to her as the pinnacle of excellence.

Among her many admirers is a seven-year-old girl whose life has become thoroughly intertwined with the sport. “I want to be just like her and go to the Olympics when I grow up,” she exuberantly claimed, emulating Biles’s iconic gestures. The young gymnast’s fascination with Biles is evident as she regularly practices flips and dance moves, knitted together with her hard work ethos. It’s almost as if Biles has become her unspoken coach, guiding her dreams through her unstoppable rise.

But recently, as Biles prepared for her floor exercise routine, fear coursed through the hearts of her fans when she injured her left calf muscle during warm-ups on Sunday. The moment was tense; shockwaves rippled through households, witnessing the potential end to her historic run. Despite this uncertainty, the little girl remained steadfast, asserting, “I love hard days,” exuding confidence all too rare for someone her age. She believed wholeheartedly Biles would overcome this challenge and deliver top scores, showing the kind of resilient spirit one associates with the champion herself.

Reflecting on her own experience, the mother recalls the budding talents of her daughter. It all began three years ago when she realized her child had the potential to shine as a gymnast. Swapping ballet tutus for gymnastic leotards, the girl’s skills soon drew attention, even earning her the nickname “Baby Biles” after clinching first place at national competitions.

Emphasizing the dedication gymnastics requires, the mother describes the reality of balancing their family’s demands against the rigorous training required. Sweeping daily practices, endless travel to competitions, and mounting fees have made them continuously reassess their commitment to the sport she loves. With the financial strain apparent, their family has had to endure sacrifices, from altered schedules to fewer shared meals around the dinner table.

The intense lifestyle of competitive gymnastics also brings forth worries about her future. Could her daughter, like Biles, end up living far from home, honing her craft under elite coaches? The emotional toll on parents is massive, feeling anxiety over the well-being of their young athlete. Still, they press on, fueled by the joy their daughter derives from the sport. After enduring long training sessions, they witness her exuberance when she receives praise from coaches.

Biles’s personal story is not lost on the family. They learn of her challenges—educational disruptions prompting homeschooling during her high school years—and her early diagnosis of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Biles utilized gymnastics to focus her energy. The young girl relates to this, sharing with her mother how gymnastics helps her channel her own challenges: “Whenever I do my dance-throughs or my tumbling, my mind is thinking of how tight I should be,” she remarked. This connection between the two strengthens her mother’s belief in her daughter’s abilities.

Though committed to rigorous training, any glimpse of doubt dissipates when the girl dons her leotard, immersing herself fully as she practices at the gym. These moments of joy only serve to highlight the sacrifices made and the determination they instill. Each new medal her daughter collects only adds to the passion she feels, filled with pride as she sees her triumphs reflected on the walls of her room.

With Biles’s performances dominating headlines, they have transformed across the country from mere athletic displays to emotional spectacles. This young girl’s aspirations encapsulate wider feelings for the generations of female athletes Biles has inspired. Watching the gymnastics legend perform embodies not just her talent but the thriving dreams of youngsters who train daily, often daring to conquer obstacles just like their idol.

The next few days during the Olympic Games will continue to be immense, but for this little girl and her family, it goes beyond who takes home medals. It’s about passion, hard work, and the indelible influence Biles has, stemming from the joy she inspires. Though Biles’s future may be uncertain at times, her legacy shines bright, lighting the path for young gymnasts everywhere, from the small clubs to grand stages.

The Chicago Bears might not be having the best of seasons so far but safety Jonathan Owens’ GOAT wife, Simone Biles, is having a blast. Right after their marriage, the duo has been in a long-distance marriage. Owing to their hectic schedules, both Biles and Owens took time off periodically to see each other. And a major part of their meetup involved the gymnastics queen flying to watch Owens’ NFL games.

This ritual has continued since Owens’ time at the Green Bay Packers. Now, with Biles getting a little time off from her schedule, the visits to Chicago have only increased. Thankfully for Biles, her frequent visits to the NFL games have made her some close friends. Over time, the gymnastics GOAT has established a strong bond of friendship with retired volleyball player Torrie Brown and the wife of De’Vondre Campbell.

In her latest Instagram post, Biles was spotted enjoying her time in yet another NFL outing. While the initial images showed Owens and Biles sharing their love for each other, the remaining images showcased Biles’ bonding with her new besties. In one of the videos, Biles looked ecstatic as Owens made a clean catch. Next up, Biles could be seen embraced in a warm hug with two of her newfound besties. She acknowledged her friendship by captioning her post, “Swipe to see the besties football brought me.”

Well, this was not the first instance of Biles spending some fun time together with her NFL buddies. During Thanksgiving, Biles decided to pay her husband a surprise visit. Despite the Bears suffering a crushing loss to the Vikings, Biles’ presence seemed to have eased the nerves of Jonathan Owens. In an Instagram upload, the 7x Olympic gold medalist shared snippets of her trip to Ford Field during Thanksgiving.

And guess who was accompanying Biles? It was none other than her NFL bestie, ex-Georgia star, Torrie Brown. The duo could be seen enjoying their moment in a chartered flight. The entire vibe inside the flight looked like an extended Thanksgiving party. Meanwhile, speaking of Thanksgiving, Biles could not spend it at home with Owens. And now, to make matters even worse, Christmas also looks in some serious jeopardy.

Simone Biles to have a quiet Christmas this year

Simone Biles is all about family, especially around Christmas. From her childhood days, she’s cherished spending the holidays with her loved ones. But this year? That tradition’s taking a little detour, thanks to her hubby Jonathan Owens’ NFL commitments. “I want to be in a bathing suit. We used to actually go away for Christmas to Belize. Yeah, my mom just got there on Monday. I’m gonna stay with my husband, in the cold,” Biles spilled on The Kelly Clarkson Show.

Owens, who recently signed a cool $4.75 million deal with the Chicago Bears, is all business this holiday season. He’ll be battling the Seattle Seahawks on December 26, trying to bring some W’s to the Bears’ locker room. Meanwhile, Simone’s embracing the change. “This will be the first Christmas that we’ll spend alone together as a couple, which is actually really nice,” she shared, showing her signature positive vibes.

So, what’s the plan for this cozy Christmas-for-two? Simone’s taking charge, turning their Chicago home into a winter wonderland. In an interview with People, she admitted, “I’ve been begging Jonathan to go down in the basement and get the tree.” Classic Simone energy—determined, festive, and totally unstoppable.

While she’ll miss her family and the Belizean beaches, Simone’s making the best of it with her favorite teammate by her side. Christmas in Chicago might be colder, but their love story is as warm as ever.

The Chicago Bears’ season has been a tough one, with a disappointing 4-9 record after 13 games. While the year has been challenging, there have been some bright spots, such as Jonathan Owens stepping up with seven tackles and an interception. Unfortunately, the Bears were handed a crushing 38-13 loss by an injury-plagued 49ers team, extending their losing streak to seven games. However, there may be a silver lining on the horizon. Simone Biles recently shared her husband’s dreams, and if they come true, Owens could bring the energy and spark the Bears need to turn things around in the NFL.

Even the greatest athletes face challenges, and U.S. gymnast Simone Biles is no exception.

The Olympic gold medalist, often celebrated for her unmatched skills on the gymnastics mat, recently admitted that Pilates is one workout she struggles to master.

During an appearance on “The Kelly Clarkson Show,” Biles shared a humorous yet relatable story about her experience.

“I cannot do it to save my life,” Biles confessed with a laugh.

She explained that the workout left her legs trembling, and she even admitted to sneaking in rests when the instructor wasn’t looking.

“It’s not for me,” she added, candidly sharing her honest opinion about the exercise.

The 1 workout Simone Biles says she cannot do to save her life: ‘It’s not for me’

Biles said she found the exercise to be “too hard.”

Kelly Clarkson is relieved to know that Simone Biles is just like us.

On “The Kelly Clarkson Show,” Biles who is known as the greatest gymnast of all time, revealed why she posted an Instagram story in early December about not liking Pilates.

In the story, Biles said that this was her “first time working out since the Olympics” in August and she found the exercise to be “too hard.”

“I hear that we have something in common,” Clarkson said on the Dec. 12, episode of her show, adding that she doesn’t like Pilates either.

The talk show host explained that she thought the class was more difficult in New York than in L.A. However, Biles said that she didn’t think that was necessarily true.

“I think it’s everywhere because I cannot do it to save my life,” she said with a laugh.

“It’s so hard,” Clarkson replied. “My legs were trembling.”

Biles agreed and said the workout put her legs through the wringer as well. That’s why she took every opportunity to rest during class.

“My legs were trembling and when the teacher wasn’t looking, I was cheating,” she laughed.

“It’s not for me,” Biles added.

Clarkson said she did the same thing and to hear an athlete like Biles also struggled doing Pilates made her feel better about herself.

“It made me feel good that you weren’t good,” Clarkson said. “It made me feel better about myself. I was like, she’s an Olympic gold medalist. She’s the GOAT. She can’t do it, neither can I.”

Simone Biles Shares Her Game Day Routine with Husband Jonathan Owens — Including Their Pre-Game Kiss! (Exclusive)

The Olympic gold medalist, who recently shared her Athleta gift guide, has been on the sidelines cheering for the Chicago Bears much of the season

Simone Biles is giving a glimpse into her game days.

Since wrapping up the Gold Over America Tour tour in November, the seven-time Olympic gold medalist, 27, has had more time to catch her husband, Jonathan Owens, on the field as a safety for the Chicago Bears.

While speaking with PEOPLE about her Athleta Gift Edit, which includes her favorite athleisure picks for holiday gifting, Biles opened up about how she and Owens, 29, gear up for — and decompress from — a game.

“Pre-game, I just let him do him because I know how stressful that can be sometimes,” she explains.  “But he loves to come see me because he usually has to stay at the team hotel, so he loves to come see me, kiss me goodbye.”

Biles then cheers on Owens and the Bears with her fellow WAGs, and after the clock runs out, Biles says the couple often grabs dinner with whoever else joined her to cheer him on that day.

“That’s just how we debrief and talk through the game,” Biles says.

Biles, who met Owens on Raya in 2020, says when the two first started dating she had “so much”to learn about football.

“My dad and my brothers were always watching football, but I was never into it,” she recalls. “But I was always at the gym too, it’s not like I even had time to get to know it. In the very beginning, the Texans [in her hometown of Houston] would always bring me out so that I could lead the team out the tunnel and all of that good stuff, but I still knew absolutely not a thing about football.”

Though four years later, Biles says she’s gotten the hang of it — and the other WAGs agree!

“I’ve learned so much and even some of his teammates’ wives are like, ‘Oh my gosh, you’ve come so far, you’ve learned so much,’ because they’ve seen the journey,” she shares.

While the pair’s holiday plans admittedly “revolve around football,” Biles has kicked off the season already through her partnership with Athleta to curate a gift guide.

Simone Biles’ Sister-in-Law Showcases Baby Biles Donning WCC Leo While Penning Heartfelt Note for Soon-to-Be Big Sister

The Biles clan is expanding! Simone Biles’ sister-in-law Sammi is expecting her second baby, and naturally, the heaving emotions can hardly be kept hidden. But that doesn’t mean Baby Biles is running short on love or that her love for gymnastics is ignored. Instead, the 7x Olympic gold medalist’s niece is pursuing her passion with gusto, and her mom is fondly cheering her on.

The two-year-old has been one of the biggest fans of her beloved TT Simone Biles in the short time she has been here. And she’s picked up an inkling toward the sport as well. From sporting colorful leotards to mesmerizing the community with her neat skills, the little one has already become a steady member of the Simone Biles fan club. But while the family awaits the welcome of the new one among their fold, Sammi can’t help but feel grateful for the little bundle of joy that’s made her life brighter for the last couple of years.

In her Instagram post from December 13, Simone’s brother’s wife once again noted how Baby Biles has been a blessing. Sharing more pictures of the rising gymnast in a World Champions Centre leotard, Sammi left a special message for her daughter. “God really knew what He was doing when he gave me the precious gift of you,” the post reads as the accompanying images show Simone’s biggest cheerleader perfecting her skills at the gym.

‘I Signed Up’: Simone Biles Pinpoints the Moment That Led Her to Gymnastics GOAT Status

Simone Biles and gymnastics go together like peanut butter and jelly—can you even imagine the sport without her? With five eponymous skills in the Code of Points, 11 Olympic medals, and 30 World Championship medals, she’s redefined what it means to be the GOAT. And like all great love stories, this one started with a twist of fate. Yep, you could even call it love at first sight.

Simone Biles spilled the tea on The Kelly Clarkson Show about how she stumbled—quite literally—into gymnastics. Spoiler alert: it wasn’t a glamorous start. “We were supposed to go to the oil ranch that day,” Simone shared with a laugh. “Yeah, very Texan thing. And it ended up raining. So they’re like, where are we going to take these kids? There was a gym down the street, and that’s where they took us.”

What happened next? Little Simone started mimicking the gymnasts. “I started copying the girls in the back, and then they were like, have you ever done gymnastics? I think you need to sign up. And they sent a brochure home, and then I signed up.” Talk about a plot twist! One soggy field trip and a little curiosity turned into a lifelong love affair.

She began training at Bannon’s Gymnastix in Houston under Aimee Boorman, who quickly realized she was coaching something special. Aimee recalled, “She had said that her brother taught her how to do a backhandspring in their backyard, but she had never had any formal gymnastics training,” according to Olympics.com.

“In those early years, she would just watch people do skills and go and try them,” Aimee continued. “For example, she had seen a cheerleader doing a back tuck in her practice one day and she said, ‘I can do that,’ but she had never done one before. She stood up, and she did it just by watching.” Seriously, who is this girl? A prodigy, that’s who.

By 15, Simone was so obsessed with gymnastics that she left regular school to be homeschooled, dedicating every free moment to training. She crushed it as a junior, earning a scholarship to UCLA. But instead of taking the college route, she went pro, kicking off one of the most jaw-dropping careers in sports history. This kicked off a career so iconic it’s been praised by literally everyone—fans, fellow athletes, and even multinational companies lining up to be part of her greatness.

Simone Biles gets a special surprise from Google

Simone Biles has faced her share of critics, but time and again, she’s shown why she’s the undisputed queen of gymnastics. Now, even Google is bowing down to her greatness with a tribute that screams “GOAT energy.” Known for its quirky Easter eggs for celebrities, Google has rolled out a delightful surprise for Simone, and it’s as golden as her medal collection.

Search her name, and amidst the long list of her jaw-dropping achievements, you’ll notice a tiny goat-shaped button. Give it a click, and your screen lights up with a shower of confetti, flower bouquets, and golden goats. It’s a playful nod to an athlete who’s redefined excellence—not just in gymnastics but in sports as a whole. And while the timing might seem random, maybe it’s not. Why now?

While Simone Biles hasn’t competed since her Olympic domination, 2024 has been a blockbuster year for her. She claimed three Olympic golds and a silver in Paris, headlined the Gold Over America Tour, snagged a Critics Choice Award for Simone Biles Rising Part 2, and even became the highest-paid gymnast of the year. Talk about a year of wins!

Google’s homage might not just be about her triumphant Olympic return but also about the way Simone keeps smashing milestones—on and off the mat. Fans are eating it up, and let’s be real, who wouldn’t want yet another excuse to call her the GOAT?