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“Are You Serious?”: Dog Lover Simone Biles’ Father Once Made a Strange Deal To Push Her Gymnastics Career in Line

Published 02/12/2023, 7:30 PM EST

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It’s no news that Olympian gold medalist Simone Biles is a dog lover. Presently she co-parents three dogs with her soon-to-be husband, Jonathan Owens. Previously, Biles had four German Shepherds while growing up. However, it wasn’t easy for Simone and her sister Adria to convince their parents to get them a dog. Eventually, her zeal to get a dog became a stepping stone for a decorated career.

In her autobiography, Simone Biles mentioned how she convinced her parents of the decision. Simone and Adria had been bugging their parents for a dog, but Papa Biles never caved. However, when little Simone brought up the topic again around the time of her regionals, Ron struck a deal with the young gymnast. Safe to say, that was all the push Simone Biles needed to ace the competition.

Ron Biles made the deal with the little devil

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In her book, Courage to Soar, Simone Biles narrated how she earned the rights to her first dog. Adria and Simone went as far as taking care of their neighbor’s dog, just to prove to their father that they could be responsible too. However, Ron Biles never relented. Fed up with their constant bugging, he came up with an idea. Just before an important regional tournament, Ron asked Simone, “I’ll tell you what. You qualify for Westerns this year, and you’ll get your dog.” Excited by the sudden proposal, Simone exclaimed, “Are you serious?”

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Going forth with his deal, Ron added a clause that it has to be a German shepherd. Though she always wanted a small dog, Simone Biles happily agreed to get a big fury baby. While sticking the deal, little did Ron know how serious the gymnast was about her wish. Later, she went ahead and aced the tournament, finishing first on the floor and second all-around.

Millionaire Now Simone Biles Owned Her First-Ever Car at 16

As the scoreboard Biles’ victory, little Adria shouted in glee, “We’re getting a dog!” To this Ron just turned to his wife and sighed, “Oh man, now we have to get a dog.” This was the story of how gymnastics GOAT brought home her first of many treasured fur babies.

The most precious assets of Simone Biles

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In one of her interviews, Simone Biles opened up about how her pets have been her support system throughout her life. They lighten her mood whenever she feels low. And they brighten it more whenever she is happy. Biles claims she’ll never trade her pets even for the world. She considers them her biggest assets.

Though her father got her German Shepherds while growing up, she got herself the mini ones later in life. Presently, Biles has two French Bulldogs, Lilo and Rambo. She is also a co-parent to Jonathan Owens’ English Bulldog, Zeus.

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Watch this story: Iconic gymnast Simone Biles and Legendary Michael Phelps Astonishing Car Collection

Sadly, Simone Biles’ first dog, Maggie, passed away in 2017 after staying with the gymnast for nearly a decade.

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Written by:

Aaradhana Singh

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Aaradhana Singh is a US Sports writer for EssentiallySports. The holder of a Diploma in Journalism and Mass Communication, Aaradhana has previously worked as an editor/writer with Asiana Times for the better part of a year. A sports person at heart with a curious mind, Aaradhana is someone who is always up for fun and adventure.
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Edited by:

Anupama Ghosh