Simone Biles Receives AP Female Athlete of the Year Award

Simone Biles, facing nervousness and uncertainty, returned to gymnastics competition in a suburban Chicago arena last July, marking her first event in two years. Biles, acknowledging the pressure, found comfort and confidence as the competition progressed. Her comeback led to her claiming a national championship again by the end of August and, by October, she secured a world championship title once more.

In December, Biles was honored as The Associated Press’ Female Athlete of the Year, making her the sixth woman to receive the accolade thrice. She triumphed over other nominees like Iowa basketball sensation Caitlin Clark and Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmati of Spain’s World Cup-winning soccer team. Biles’ return was especially notable considering her previous withdrawal from multiple finals at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics due to mental health concerns, a decision that received mixed reactions on social media.

Following a two-year break and intensive therapy, Biles focused on her return, embracing self-doubt and transforming it into a powerful performance that reflected her unique prowess in gymnastics.

Biles, who previously won the AP award in 2016 and 2019, has seen significant changes in her life since her teenage years post-Rio de Janeiro Olympics. Now, no longer just a gymnast, she’s a married woman, balancing time between supporting her husband, Green Bay Packers safety Jonathan Owens, managing corporate partnerships, and overseeing the construction of their new home.

Biles’ approach to life and gymnastics has evolved. She no longer fixates on perfection, understanding the importance of resilience and perspective in a sport where perfection is unattainable.

Her “one day at a time” attitude was reinforced by coach Cecile Landi’s encouragement to return to competition. Despite initial hesitations, Biles’ inner circle’s faith in her abilities fueled her comeback.

Her return to the sport was marked not only by victories but by the continued evolution of her routines, which remain packed with extraordinary difficulty. On the vault, she made history by executing the Yurchenko double-pike in international competition, adding another element named after her in the gymnastics code of points.

Biles, while acknowledging the possibility of participating in the next Olympics, prefers to focus on her present life. She recently shared a personal moment on Instagram from her wedding reception, underscoring the newfound balance in her life where gymnastics, though significant, isn’t the sole focus.