Today, the 17 selected individuals made their way to the White House to meet US President Joe Biden and receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Among them shines gymnastics legend, Simone Biles, the most decorated American gymnast in history.

According to the White House, President Biden did not select Biles just for her enormous medal tally. Part of the reason comprises the time she spent advocating for athletes’ mental health and safety, children in the foster care system, and victims of sexual assault.

Simone Biles on receiving the honor

The gymnastics GOAT made her way to the White House to receive the highest civil honor awarded in the United States earlier today. After the event, Simone Biles talked to reporters outside the White House. “Hearing that I was the youngest was a huge honor,” she said. 

“It’s kind of scary because it is the best award you can receive in your whole life, so now it’s kind of scary, like, ‘Oh, what do I do now?’ But it’s a huge honor.” But that’s not all. The gymnast also took to Instagram to express her gratitude and joy. 

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She wrote, “I’m so honored & thankful to be recognized as a recipient by President Biden for this prestigious award. I still have no words. I’m shocked!” President Biden’s speech stated that Biles has proved herself to be “a trailblazer and a role model.” 

Simone Biles is among the only six female sportspersons to receive the award and the youngest ever. Adding yet another achievement to her collection of 32 Olympic and World Championship medals, also the President in a light mood, said, “Today she adds to her medal count—I don’t know if you’re gonna find room!” 

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Biles had proven herself to be an all-around inspiration

In 2021, Simone Biles testified before the Senate on the Larry Nassar sexual abuse scandal. “I blame Larry Nasser, and I also blame an entire system that enabled and perpetrated [sic] his abuse,” she said. She first opened up about the abuse she suffered in 2018 through Twitter.

The four-time Olympic champion has also advocated for mental health, braving the backlash that came with pulling out of the Tokyo Olympics. But Biles chose to put herself and her mental health first and has advocated for eradicating the stigma around mental health in sports.

She attended the ceremony with her parents, Ronald and Nellie Biles, along with her doting fiance NFL star Jonathan Owens. Owens wrote a heartfelt message on Instagram for Biles, saying, “You’re one of the strongest people I know and are so deserving, I’m so blessed to be able to experience this with you.”

On the other hand, momma Biles went with a short and sweet, “Presidential medal of freedom / No Words,” tweeting a picture of the Biles family.

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