Gymnastics Community Upset With Simone Biles as They Express Bittersweet Feelings Over Life Achievement

It was a day meant to celebrate achievement, but as the GOAT took the stage, it also sparked a conversation about recognition and titles. At the heart of a sunlit ceremony on May 12, 2025, the crowd at Washington University in St. Louis buzzed with energy. Families held bouquets, graduates beamed with hard-earned pride, and one of the most celebrated athletes in the world took the stage in a robe of black and green. Simone Biles — the seven-time Olympic gold medalist, survivor, advocate, and trailblazer — was there not to compete, but to speak. And speak she did. “All I ever wanted to be was the greatest Simone that I could be.” The crowd erupted in applause. 

“It’s Dr. Biles to you 🫶🏾.” Simone wrote with a wink of humor and a spark of pride. Then followed a heartfelt message: “but in all seriousness, thank you @washu for allowing me to do the commencement speech! Congrats to all the Graduates 🎓Truly inspiring! Good luck with all your future endeavors!!” But even in moments of celebration, the internet rarely offers silence. Soon, her comment section filled — some with love, others with lectures. A few users took issue with her self-referencing as “Dr,” pointing out that honorary degrees are symbolic and don’t entitle someone to use the title professionally.

“A honorary doctorate is a symbolic honor and doesn’t give the holder the right to sign “Doctor” or “Dr.”,” one user wrote. “It’s recognition of service to a career or society, but not in place of an earned doctorate.” It was the kind of moment that highlights the complexities of public life. While Simone has always aimed to be the best version of herself, not for titles or applause, but for purpose, the world around her has remained ready to weigh in. A few times, this process has not gone smoothly. Evidence? 

Nine years ago, on a bright August day in Rio de Janeiro, a 4-foot-8 powerhouse rewrote history. Simone Biles, with a dazzling smile and gravity-defying moves, soared to Olympic gold in the all-around final, becoming only the second Black woman ever to do so. That moment didn’t just secure her place among the sport’s legends — it lit a fire in gyms around the world. Little girls of every background, watching from living rooms and bleachers, suddenly saw themselves in the air. They saw what was possible. But while her flips were flawless and her medals plenty, the applause was never the whole story.

As Biles’ stardom grew, so did the scrutiny. The same social media that once shared her victory clips began to turn into a space of judgment and cruelty. Commenters picked apart her looks, her body, her expressions, even questioning her worth, as if medals weren’t proof enough. And when her personal life made headlines, the floodgates opened wider. In March, the toll peeked through her polished exterior. Simone posted a raw, jarring message on her Instagram story: “hope y’all are having a better day than me.. these are the texts I receive from random a** numbers.. btw y’all are f***** weird for this.”  The message was laced with frustration and exhaustion. A reminder that behind the medals and magazine covers is a woman trying to live, love, and breathe in peace. And yet, something shifted this time.

When a wave of nasty comments followed her honorary doctorate post, the kind that once might’ve gone unchecked, the tide turned. Her comment section didn’t just host critics. It held defenders. Gymnastics fans, longtime supporters, and ordinary people spoke up.

Simone Biles is not left unbacked!

In the comment box of Simone Biles’ post, several Instagram handles of Washington University came forward, chiming in to stand by their honoree. They highlighted that honorary doctorates are given in recognition of immense impact, not academic achievement, but societal contribution. For Simone, who’s inspired a generation, transformed conversations around mental health, and redefined the image of a champion, the honor was more than warranted. But not everyone agreed.

One user wrote with evident frustration: “Reading is fundamental. She did not actually graduate. She was the guest speaker and they normally do an honorary doctorate for certain guest speakers. It takes years to become an actual PhD graduate or an equivalent. I finished my doctorate PhD in a few months and it is a lot of hard academic scholarly work. My daughter has been a gymnast for 5 years and we love Simone but this was definitely just a joke as she said in her post.”

To them, the title “Dr.” was sacred — a symbol of years of rigorous study, sleepless nights, and academic sacrifice. The idea that someone could use the title without setting foot in a graduate seminar struck a nerve. Still, not all saw it as a slight.

One proud attendee of the ceremony commented with joy: “I’m graduating with my doctorate the same year Simone got her honorary doctorate and that’s fu***** cool.” There was no bitterness, only celebration — two very different journeys, one unforgettable intersection. Yet another fan tried to offer perspective with a pointed analogy: “I love you, but how would you feel if the Olympics awarded honorary gold medals? It would be demeaning to you because you worked hard and earned your medals. Those of us who have earned doctorates feel the same way about our degrees. They are earned, not handed out.”

The comparison was meant to sting. But it also unintentionally underscored why Simone’s honorary degree mattered. She’s already earned her medals through grit, sacrifice, and world-class excellence.

And one fan was quick to respond with that very reminder: “Honorary means you did something significant within your community. She’s so deserving!!” In the end, as the debate simmered, one voice stood out like a warm embrace from the past: “WUSTL ‘87 and I’m so happy to see this!! Congratulations!” Sometimes pride transcends protocol. Whether you’ve written a dissertation or landed a triple-twisting double back on a world stage, some contributions can’t be measured by a classroom or a credit hour. And Simone Biles? She’s been schooling the world for years — in excellence, in courage, and in grace.