Simone Biles was the greatest gymnast. Then she walked away from the Olympics. Could she come back and win gold again?
Learning Objective: Children will discuss Simone Biles’s Olympic journey and what makes her the GOAT.
Simone doing a vault
Simone Biles took a deep breath. She was about to do the vault in the 2024 Olympics. Everyone was watching. But three years ago, this is where things had gone wrong for Simone. She messed up her moves. Would she mess up this time?
An Early Start
Simone around age 8
Simone Biles had been working to win in the Olympics since she was little. Her parents had a hard time getting her to keep still. Little Simone loved to run and jump.
When she was 6 years old, she started gymnastics. Simone loved it right away. She practiced for hours every day.
By 14 years old, she was a great gymnast. At her first competition, she won first place. She was so good that by 19 years old, she was on the U.S. Olympic team.
The GOAT
Look at this amazing move!
In her first Olympics, Simone was a gymnastics star. It was amazing how high she could jump, twist, and flip! The crowds were dazzled.
By the time it was over, Simone had won four gold medals. People were calling her the GOAT: the greatest of all time.
What would Simone do at the next Olympic Games? Fans were excited! But things would be very different for her in 2020.
Twistie Troubles
Oh no! She stumbled.
At the 2020 Olympics, Simone felt good. But during the vault event, it all went wrong. When she jumped, she could not tell where her body was in the air. This feeling is called the twisties. She landed and stumbled.
Everyone was surprised. With the twisties, suddenly Simone could not control her body.
"I felt like I was fighting my body and mind to do these tricks,” Simone says.
A Hard Decision
Once the vault event was over, Simone made a hard choice. She decided not to compete in all the events. She knew that if she kept going with the twisties, she could get hurt.
Simone was afraid everyone at home would be mad at her. But her teammates and her family were by her side.
“It’s OK, honey,” her mom said. “You need to take care of yourself.”
Trying Again
Simone and a teammate
Simone wanted to make it back to the Olympics. She knew she would have to work hard. She started with something simple. She got on a trampoline and did a flip.
Soon Simone was ready to do harder moves. She also ate well and took care of herself.
“Don’t wait until you’ve reached your goal to be proud of yourself,” Simone says. “Be proud of every step you take toward reaching that goal.”
Three years later, she seemed just as good as before the twisties. But would she still be the GOAT?
Now or Never
It was finally time for the 2024 Olympics, and Simone had to do the vault again. That is where she got the twisties last time. She took a deep breath. Her family and teammates cheered. She ran fast to the vault, pushed off, and flipped through the air—she did it! She stuck the landing.
By the end of the Olympics, Simone had won three gold medals and a silver medal. People still say she is the greatest of all time. But that is not just because she is strong or fast. It is because she was brave enough to try again.
Cool Kid Moves
These are real gymnastics moves that kids do. Do they look easy or hard? Circle your answer.
Jump Tuck
Bend those knees.
Does that look easy or hard?
Wall Walk
Walk your feet up that wall.
Does that look easy or hard?
Candlestick
Don’t let your legs fall.
Does that look easy or hard?
Bridge
Push up and hold.
Does that look easy or hard?
Split
Stretch your legs.
Does that look easy or hard?
More About the Article
English Language Arts Focus
Comprehension of a nonfiction narrative
Social Emotional Learning Focus
Perseverance
Implementation
Pairings and Text Connections
Before-Reading Resources
Suggested Reading Focus
Comprehension/critical thinking (20 minutes)
After-Reading Video Read-Aloud
After-Reading Skills Practice
