Photos: Simone Biles = GOAT
The first, the only and the best to ever do it
We’re not exactly sure what gymnast Simone Biles does to maintain her magic.
Maybe it’s a pep talk before each performance, or perhaps a daily sprinkle of greatness over each meal. Whatever it is, we like it and frankly, we wish we had it.
After being too young to qualify for the 2012 Olympics in London, Biles was able to show the world what they were missing during this year’s Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro, where she earned five medals, four of them gold. Did we mention it was her first Olympics?
On Wednesday, the world watched as Biles took the floor in her final routine of the Summer Games. It was a routine that Biles has performed many times before, but the difficult combinations, high flips and heightened level of energy left the audience captivated every single time. Biles moved with grace and what appeared to be very little effort while sticking nearly every landing with ease. The end of her routine drew roars from a satisfied crowd and the biggest smile Biles could muster as she acknowledged the thousands watching her.
In an interview with the Sporting News shortly after winning her second gold medal of the games for the women’s individual all-around, Biles made it clear that she’s setting her own standards in the world of gymnastics. “I’m not the next Usain Bolt or Michael Phelps,” she said. “I’m the first Simone Biles.”
And that’s only fair.
Simone, you leave us with hope.
You continue to awe those who came before you and inspire those who are training to become the next you.
You have become the U.S. women’s most decorated gymnast of all time. Let’s not forget you’re only 19 years old.
Actor Zac Efron, your celebrity crush, traveled to Rio for you!
You are now being labeled the best gymnast in the world, the greatest of all time.
What else do you have to prove?
Simone, thank you for being you. The first you, the only you. The best you to ever do it.
Flip through the gallery to view to see Biles’ golden moments from her performances at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games.
-
USA's flag-bearer Simone Biles holds her country's national flag during the closing ceremony of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro on August 21, 2016.
USA's flag-bearer Simone Biles holds her country's national flag during the closing ceremony of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro on August 21, 2016. -
Gymnast Simone Biles (USA) and other athletes parade with flags during the closing ceremonies for the Rio 2016 Summer Olympic Games at Maracana.
Gymnast Simone Biles (USA) and other athletes parade with flags during the closing ceremonies for the Rio 2016 Summer Olympic Games at Maracana. -
Simone Biles carries the flag of the United States during the closing ceremony in the Maracana stadium at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sunday, Aug. 21, 2016.
Simone Biles carries the flag of the United States during the closing ceremony in the Maracana stadium at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sunday, Aug. 21, 2016. -
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - AUGUST 11: Simone Biles of the United States performs her floor routine during the women's individual all-around at Rio 2016 on Thursday, August 11, 2016. Biles captured gold, teammate Aly Raisman (silver) and Aliya Mustafina (bronze) of Russia. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - AUGUST 11: Simone Biles of the United States performs her floor routine during the women's individual all-around at Rio 2016 on Thursday, August 11, 2016. Biles captured gold, teammate Aly Raisman (silver) and Aliya Mustafina (bronze) of Russia. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post via Getty Images) -
United States' Simone Biles, gold medal winner, sings her national anthem during the medal ceremony for the artistic gymnastics women's individual all-around final at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016. (AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky)
United States' Simone Biles, gold medal winner, sings her national anthem during the medal ceremony for the artistic gymnastics women's individual all-around final at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016. (AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky) -
Aug 15, 2016; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Simone Biles (USA) competes during the women's vault finals in the Rio 2016 Summer Olympic Games at Rio Olympic Arena. Mandatory Credit: Andrew P. Scott-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 15, 2016; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Simone Biles (USA) competes during the women's vault finals in the Rio 2016 Summer Olympic Games at Rio Olympic Arena. Mandatory Credit: Andrew P. Scott-USA TODAY Sports -
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - AUGUST 07: Simone Biles of the United States competes on the balance beam during Women's qualification for Artistic Gymnastics on Day 2 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Rio Olympic Arena on August 7, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - AUGUST 07: Simone Biles of the United States competes on the balance beam during Women's qualification for Artistic Gymnastics on Day 2 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Rio Olympic Arena on August 7, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) -
United States' Simone Biles performs on the floor during the artistic gymnastics women's individual all-around final at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016. (AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky)
United States' Simone Biles performs on the floor during the artistic gymnastics women's individual all-around final at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016. (AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky) -
Gymnastics - Olympics: Day 6 Simone Biles of the United States performs her routine on the uneven bars during the Artistic Gymnastics Women's Individual All-Around Final at the Rio Olympic Arena on August 11, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)
Gymnastics - Olympics: Day 6 Simone Biles of the United States performs her routine on the uneven bars during the Artistic Gymnastics Women's Individual All-Around Final at the Rio Olympic Arena on August 11, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images) -
2016 Rio Olympics - Artistic Gymnastics - Final - Women's Team Final - Rio Olympic Arena - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - 09/08/2016. Close up of the fingers of Simone Biles (USA) of USA during the women's team final. REUTERS/Dylan Martinez FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS.
2016 Rio Olympics - Artistic Gymnastics - Final - Women's Team Final - Rio Olympic Arena - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - 09/08/2016. Close up of the fingers of Simone Biles (USA) of USA during the women's team final. REUTERS/Dylan Martinez FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS. -
August 11, 2016 - Rio De Janeiro, BRA - U.S. gymnast Simone Biles competes on bars in the women's All-Around Individual at the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016. Biles won the gold medal in the event (Photo by Mark Reis/Zuma Press/Icon Sportswire) ****NO AGENTS----NORTH AND SOUTH AMERICA SALES ONLY----NO AGENTS----NORTH AND SOUTH AMERICA SALES ONLY****
August 11, 2016 - Rio De Janeiro, BRA - U.S. gymnast Simone Biles competes on bars in the women's All-Around Individual at the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016. Biles won the gold medal in the event (Photo by Mark Reis/Zuma Press/Icon Sportswire) ****NO AGENTS----NORTH AND SOUTH AMERICA SALES ONLY----NO AGENTS----NORTH AND SOUTH AMERICA SALES ONLY**** -
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - AUGUST 15: Simone Biles of the United States competes in the Balance Beam Final on day 10 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Rio Olympic Arena on August 15, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - AUGUST 15: Simone Biles of the United States competes in the Balance Beam Final on day 10 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Rio Olympic Arena on August 15, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images) -
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - AUGUST 11: Simone Biles of the United States is seen after winning the gold medal during the Women's Individual All Around Final on Day 6 of the 2016 Rio Olympics at Rio Olympic Arena on August 11, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - AUGUST 11: Simone Biles of the United States is seen after winning the gold medal during the Women's Individual All Around Final on Day 6 of the 2016 Rio Olympics at Rio Olympic Arena on August 11, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) -
United States' Simone Biles performs on the floor during the artistic gymnastics women's team final at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2016. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
United States' Simone Biles performs on the floor during the artistic gymnastics women's team final at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2016. (AP Photo/Morry Gash) -
United States' Simone Biles bites her gold medal for the artistic gymnastics women's individual all-around final at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016. (AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky)
United States' Simone Biles bites her gold medal for the artistic gymnastics women's individual all-around final at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016. (AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky) -
US gymnast Simone Biles competes in the Beam event during the women's team final Artistic Gymnastics at the Olympic Arena during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro on August 9, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / Thomas COEXTHOMAS COEX/AFP/Getty Images
US gymnast Simone Biles competes in the Beam event during the women's team final Artistic Gymnastics at the Olympic Arena during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro on August 9, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / Thomas COEXTHOMAS COEX/AFP/Getty Images -
United States' Simone Biles celebrates after her winning gold in the vault during the artistic gymnastics women's apparatus final at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sunday, Aug. 14, 2016. (AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky)
United States' Simone Biles celebrates after her winning gold in the vault during the artistic gymnastics women's apparatus final at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sunday, Aug. 14, 2016. (AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky) -
epaselect epa05474955 Simone Biles of the USA performs on the Beam in the women's Individual All-Around final of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games Artistic Gymnastics events at the Rio Olympic Arena in Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 11 August 2016. EPA/TATYANA ZENKOVICH
epaselect epa05474955 Simone Biles of the USA performs on the Beam in the women's Individual All-Around final of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games Artistic Gymnastics events at the Rio Olympic Arena in Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 11 August 2016. EPA/TATYANA ZENKOVICH -
Aug 15, 2016; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Simone Biles (USA) warms up before the women's balance beam finals in the Rio 2016 Summer Olympic Games at Rio Olympic Arena. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 15, 2016; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Simone Biles (USA) warms up before the women's balance beam finals in the Rio 2016 Summer Olympic Games at Rio Olympic Arena. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports -
United States' Simone Biles performs on the uneven bars during the artistic gymnastics women's team final at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2016. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
United States' Simone Biles performs on the uneven bars during the artistic gymnastics women's team final at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2016. (AP Photo/Morry Gash) -
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - AUGUST 11: Simone Biles of the United States performs on the beam during the women's individual all-around at Rio 2016 on Thursday, August 11, 2016. Biles captured gold, teammate Aly Raisman (silver) and Aliya Mustafina (bronze) of Russia. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - AUGUST 11: Simone Biles of the United States performs on the beam during the women's individual all-around at Rio 2016 on Thursday, August 11, 2016. Biles captured gold, teammate Aly Raisman (silver) and Aliya Mustafina (bronze) of Russia. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post via Getty Images) -
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - AUGUST 15: Simone Biles of the United States competes in the Balance Beam Final on day 10 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Rio Olympic Arena on August 15, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - AUGUST 15: Simone Biles of the United States competes in the Balance Beam Final on day 10 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Rio Olympic Arena on August 15, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images) -
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - AUGUST 11: Simone Biles of the United States competes on the balance beam during the Women's Individual All Around Final on Day 6 of the 2016 Rio Olympics at Rio Olympic Arena on August 11, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - AUGUST 11: Simone Biles of the United States competes on the balance beam during the Women's Individual All Around Final on Day 6 of the 2016 Rio Olympics at Rio Olympic Arena on August 11, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)