Is Simone Biles the greatest athlete of all time?

Return
Still winning
The ‘twisties’
Unsure this year
'I'm not a quitter'
'Having fun'
30 career medals
Gold
Decade dominance
The GOAT?
Olympics 2024
Olympic record
Rio 2016
Most successful Olympic gymnast
Competing with Andrade
Legacy cemented
Return

US gymnastics legend Simone Biles made her return to competition at the 2023 Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Antwerp after two years away from the sport.

Still winning

Even after two a year abscence, the greatest gymnast of all time didn't fail in dominating the competition, coming away with four gold medals and a silver.

The ‘twisties’

Biles was forced to withdraw from the Olympics after suffering from the 'twisties,' a complete loss of awareness whilst in the air.

Unsure this year

Even this year, Biles was unsure of a return to the sport, but as all great ones do, they come back and pick up where they left off.

'I'm not a quitter'

According to Olympics.com, Biles said: "I had to prove to myself that I could still get out here, twist, I could prove all the haters wrong, that I'm not a quitter, this, that, the other."

'Having fun'

"I didn't care as long as I'm out there twisting again, having fun, and finding the joy for gymnastics again. Who cares?"

30 career medals

On the event's final day, Biles won her 29th and 30th career medals at the World Artistic Gymnastic Championships, holding the record for most medals.

Gold

Her two golds on the final day mean she has now won 23 gold medals, the most golds in world championship history for an athlete of either sex.

Decade dominance

When advancing to the medal round at the world championships in the last ten years, Biles has come away with a medal all but three times (Bars 2013, 2019,2023).

The GOAT?

Her unparalleled dominance in the sport of gymnastics can only be compared to a select few of sport's greatest-ever athletes.

Olympics 2024

After missing out on gold at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, Biles will be chomping at the bit to return and create an even bigger legacy on the greatest stage of all.

Olympic record

Simone Biles has seven Olympic medals, putting her ninth all-time in women's gymnastics and joint first with Shannon Miller for most by a US Gymnast.

Rio 2016

At the Rio Olympics in 2016, Biles set an American record for most gold medals won by a US gymnast at a single games, winning four out of the five events she entered.

Most successful Olympic gymnast

To become the most successful gymnast at the Olympic Games, Biles would have to win 12 more medals to beat Russian Larisa Latynina (18).

Competing with Andrade

To do that, Biles would have to beat up-and-coming star Rebeca Andrade, who shared all five podiums with Biles at the world championships last week.

Legacy cemented

Whatever happens from now, Biles has cemented her legacy as the greatest gymnast of all time and potentially even the greatest athlete after her comeback display.

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