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TOKYO, JAPAN – JULY 27: Simone Biles of Team United States looks on during the Women’s Team Final on day four of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Ariake Gymnastics Centre on July 27, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

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TOKYO, JAPAN – JULY 27: Simone Biles of Team United States looks on during the Women’s Team Final on day four of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Ariake Gymnastics Centre on July 27, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
Simone Biles was once astonished by looking at the heights of other Olympians. At the 2016 Rio Olympics, out of all 555 United States athletes, Simone Biles was the shortest. Her height is just under 5 feet. She is small in height but not in her glory at the Olympics. Biles has a lot of records in the history of American gymnastics. The 2016 Rio Olympics were her debut, and she didn’t make anybody wait to see her at her best.
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Simone Biles is an American artistic gymnast. Hailing from Columbus, Ohio, she is one of the most decorated gymnasts ever. In her debut at the 2016 Rio Olympics, she already made herself a superstar. At the young age of only 24, she has already entered the legendary category. Biles has never been depressed about her height.
Simone Biles standing tall and confident at the 2016 Rio Olympics
Despite the 2016 Rio Olympics being her debut on a big stage. Simone Biles‘ confidence was on a whole other level. She was adamant about winning the gold medal, and the rest is history.

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RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – AUGUST 11: Simone Biles of the United States waves to fans 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)
Before the Rio Olympics, she already had 14 world championship medals. She got five medals in total, of which four were gold, and the other was a bronze medal. Although you will be surprised to know that out of all 555 athletes who participated in the 2016 Rio Olympics, Biles was the shortest, standing at only 4’8″.
just another short / tall picture @DR34M pic.twitter.com/EtpPDgKflI
— Simone Biles (@Simone_Biles) December 10, 2017
Standing next to Hakeem Olajuwon is a Nigerian-American former professional basketball player who is a whopping 7’0″ tall. That is literally 2 feet taller than Biles.
Despite being short, she has never felt down about it or made any excuses. She has always been passionate about gymnastics and will keep chasing her dreams.
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Short height in gymnastics: a blessing or a curse
While other sports have players with a height of above 6 feet tall. Gymnastics is a sport that is very favorable for short-height people.

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Simone Biles is spotted by her coach Laurent Landi as she competes on uneven bars during the final day of women’s competition in the U.S. Olympic Team Trials for gymnastics in St. Louis, Missouri, U.S., June 27, 2021. Picture taken June 27, 2021. REUTERS/Lindsey Wasson
Their reduction in leg length is mostly why they have such short stature. Training can delay growth and will stay even after retirement.
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WATCH THIS STORY – Gymnastics GOAT Simone Biles Makes An Unusual Appeal To Fans About Her Health
Basically, in simple words, short stature isn’t a bad thing for gymnasts. In the end, it all comes down to flexibility. What do you think about Simone Biles?
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