For years, Simone Biles has been the undisputed face of American gymnastics — not just for her unprecedented achievements across three Olympic Games and countless international meets, but also for her aura of humility and quiet leadership. To many, she has been more than just a once-in-a-generation athlete. Former teammates such as Aly Raisman have long spoken of Biles with admiration. Jordan Chiles, one of her current teammates and closest confidantes, has often described her as “inspiring” and “down-to-earth.” Such praise has shaped Biles’ public image — one of a grounded champion who lifts up those around her. Well, until June 13, there had been no blemish in that carefully built reputation. But that day brought an unexpected revelation from a former teammate that seemed to shift the narrative.

Olympian and former University of Utah gymnast MyKayla Skinner broke her silence in a statement to One America News, claiming, “Throughout my own career, I endured being belittled, dismissed, and ostracized behind the scenes by Simone. The pressure to stay silent was immense. I kept quiet out of respect for the sport, for my teammates, and for the ideal of unity among athletes.” Later, in an appearance on The Will Cain Show, she doubled down: “Well, throughout my career, there’s been many times where I have been belittled and bullied by Simone.” “ [I] have wanted to keep quiet for the other athletes,” Skinner added during her Fox News appearance. Skinner’s words cast a rare shadow over Biles’ otherwise pristine reputation. Her remarks came in the wake of a social-media spat between Biles and former swimmer Riley Gaines, but this time, the focus turned inward, toward the dynamics within Team USA itself.

Yet just a year ago, Biles was lauded for a very different kind of behavior — the kind that demonstrated her capacity for empathy and support when it mattered most. At the 2024 U.S. Nationals, Suni Lee — the Tokyo Olympic all-around champion — was struggling. Battling her way back from a series of kidney-related health issues, she faced immense pressure during her vault routine. As the tension rose, Lee quietly slipped backstage to collect herself. That’s when Biles, already in a commanding lead in the competition, took notice.

Without hesitation, Simone Biles left her own rotation to find Lee. She checked in gently, asking if Suni Lee had gotten “lost in the air,” referencing her own terrifying experience with the “twisties” at the Tokyo Games. Lee said no, and Biles, ever composed, urged her to breathe deeply and trust her gymnastics. What followed was a touching display of camaraderie. While Biles’ teammates at World Champions Centre moved on to the floor exercise, she stayed with Lee. As Lee approached the bars — still visibly nervous — Biles remained nearby, offering encouragement from the sidelines. Her voice echoed in the arena: “C’mon! C’mon!” And when Lee nailed her near-flawless routine, Biles was the first to cheer, clapping proudly as her teammate landed her dismount.

The entire scene mesmerized the gymnastics community. While explaining the matter, Lee later said, “She just helped boost me up and get my confidence back up because, at that point, I was kind of like thinking that this was over.” Although she had to accept defeat to Simone at the point table, the Olympian added, “It was really nice having her in my corner. It just felt so good because I knew I was having a hard time, and she was just there.”

Suni’s coach, Jeff Graba, didn’t miss the moment. “That’s what a good leader does,” he said. “She saw what was going on. First event, that can throw you off. (She said), `Just stay in your game.'” However, Biles didn’t want to take credit for anything. “I know how traumatizing it is, especially on a big stage like this, and I didn’t want her [Suni] to get in her head,” she said, and left the scene. Well, it is not about the American gymnasts. In the Paris Olympics, a few opponents felt mesmerized by Simone’s behaviour. 

Simone Biles gained something gold away from the mat 

Simone Biles may be known worldwide for defying gravity, but it’s her grounded character that continues to earn just as much admiration, even off the mat. The question may be, how? Last July in Paris, ahead of the gymnastics events at the 2024 Olympic Games, Biles quietly became a hero to another national team. After podium practice at Bercy Arena, German gymnast Sarah Voss took to Instagram to share an unexpected act of kindness: Biles had stepped in to help the German team secure seats on an overcrowded shuttle bus, where non-athletes had refused to vacate spots meant for competitors.

“Not only standing up for herself and her mental health,” Voss wrote in her Instagram story, “but also fighting for us to get a seat (on) the overly packed bus toward the arena.” The journey was a crucial 45-minute ride, and with athletes already under pressure, Biles’ intervention ensured her fellow gymnasts could travel with focus and dignity. But the moment didn’t end there.

 Later, Voss also posted a photo of a custom, heart-shaped pin—adorned with Simone Biles’ signature—which she called a cherished token of unity. The pins, designed by Biles herself, have quietly become a symbol of camaraderie and Olympic spirit, passed among athletes, volunteers, and supporters throughout the Games. So, in an arena where medals often speak loudest, it’s gestures like these that whisper the true essence of the Games—empathy, leadership, and looking out for each other, even when the cameras aren’t rolling. And once again, Simone Biles proves she’s not just an icon of gymnastics but a champion of grace.