Issue Contents: |  | *********About the cover model: Simone Biles************
Simone Biles, born Simone Arianne Biles on March 14, 1997, in Columbus, Ohio, is an American artistic gymnast widely regarded as one of the greatest gymnasts of all time. She has won numerous Olympic and World Championship medals, setting records and redefining the sport with her extraordinary skills and athleticism.
### Early Life and Training
Simone Biles was born to Shanon Biles and Kelvin Clemons. Due to her mother’s struggles with addiction, Biles and her siblings were placed in foster care. She was later adopted by her maternal grandfather, Ron Biles, and his wife, Nellie. The family moved to Spring, Texas, where Biles began her gymnastics training at the age of six during a daycare field trip to Bannon's Gymnastix. Recognizing her talent, her parents enrolled her in an optional training program at the gym.
### Gymnastics Career
#### Junior Career
Biles began competing at the junior elite level in 2011, quickly making a name for herself with her powerful performances. By 2012, she had won multiple medals at national competitions, setting the stage for her senior debut.
#### Senior Career
Biles made her senior debut in 2013 and immediately became a dominant force in gymnastics.
- **World Championships**: Biles has won a total of 25 World Championship medals, including 19 golds. She first competed in the World Championships in 2013, where she won the all-around, vault, and floor exercise titles.
- **Olympic Games**: At the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, Biles won four gold medals (team, all-around, vault, and floor exercise) and one bronze (balance beam), becoming the most decorated American gymnast in a single Olympics. She also competed in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics (held in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic), where she won a silver medal in the team event and a bronze on the balance beam, despite facing mental health challenges that led her to withdraw from several events.
### Signature Skills and Achievements
Biles is known for her extraordinary difficulty and execution in her routines. She has several signature skills named after her, including:
- **The Biles (floor exercise)**: A double layout with a half twist.
- **The Biles (vault)**: A Yurchenko half-on with two twists off.
- **The Biles II (floor exercise)**: A triple-double (three twists and two flips in a layout position).
- **The Biles (balance beam)**: A double-twisting double backflip dismount.
Biles' innovative and high-difficulty routines have set new standards in gymnastics, and she has been credited with pushing the sport to new heights.
### Personal Life
Simone Biles has been open about her personal challenges, including her experiences with foster care, her adoption, and her struggles with mental health. She is an advocate for mental health awareness and has spoken about the importance of prioritizing mental well-being, especially in high-pressure environments.
Biles is in a relationship with NFL player Jonathan Owens. She has a close-knit family and frequently shares moments with them on social media.
### Philanthropy and Advocacy
Biles is involved in various philanthropic efforts and advocacy work. She has partnered with organizations like Mattress Firm Foster Kids to support foster children. Additionally, Biles is a vocal advocate for survivors of sexual abuse, having publicly shared her own experience as a survivor of abuse by former USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar.
### Notable Achievements
- **Olympic Medals**: 7 (4 gold, 1 silver, 2 bronze)
- **World Championship Medals**: 25 (19 gold, 3 silver, 3 bronze)
- **Presidential Medal of Freedom**: Awarded by President Joe Biden in 2022 for her contributions to the sport and her advocacy work.
Simone Biles continues to inspire millions with her athletic prowess, resilience, and advocacy, solidifying her legacy as one of the most influential athletes of her generation.
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