Triumph of a Legend: Simone Biles at Paris 2024

At the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Biles won individual gold medals in the all-around, vault, and floor, bronze on balance beam, and gold as part of the United States team, dubbed the "Final Five." At the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, where she was favored to win at least four of the six available gold medals, she withdrew from most of the competition due to "the twisties," a temporary loss of air awareness while performing twisting elements. She won a silver medal with her team and a bronze medal on the balance beam; the team was nicknamed "Fighting Four" as a tribute to the adversity they faced. At the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, she became the first American woman to win two Olympic all-around and vault titles and the first woman of any nation to do so since Věra Čáslavská in 1964 and 1968. She also won gold as part of the United States team, who were nicknamed "Golden Girls." 

Biles is a six-time World individual all-around champion (2013, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2019, and 2023), six-time World floor exercise champion (2013–2015, 2018–2019, 2023), four-time World balance beam champion (2014–2015, 2019, 2023), two-time World vault champion (2018–2019), and was a member of the gold medal-winning United States teams (2014–2015, 2018–2019, 2023). She is also a four-time World silver medalist (2013–2014 and 2023 on vault, 2018 on uneven bars) and a three-time World bronze medalist (2015 on vault, 2013 and 2018 on balance beam). Additionally, she is a nine-time United States national all-around champion (2013–2016, 2018–2019, 2021, 2023–2024). 

In 2019, Biles broke the record for most World Championship medals in gymnastics; she won her 24th and 25th medals at the event, surpassing Vitaly Scherbo's 23 World medals. Biles has since secured an additional five World medals, for a total of 30. She holds the record for World all-around titles (6) and is the sixth woman to win an individual all-around title at both the World Championships and the Olympics, the first since Lilia Podkopayeva in 1996 to hold both titles simultaneously. Biles is the tenth female gymnast and first American female gymnast to win a World medal on every event, and the first female gymnast since Daniela Silivaș in 1988 to win a medal on every event at a single Olympic Games or World Championships. 

In 2022, President Joe Biden awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom. In 2023, she won her eighth U.S. Gymnastics title, breaking the 90-year-old U.S. Gymnastics title record previously held by Alfred Jochim. Biles has won the Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year thrice (2017, 2019, 2020) and Comeback of the Year once (2024). Her journey has been marked by incredible highs and challenging lows, including struggles with mental health that she bravely spoke about during the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Despite these challenges, her resilience and commitment to the sport have remained unwavering. 

Simone Biles won the gold medal in the Women's Vault at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Competing in the artistic gymnastics discipline, she executed two powerful and precise vaults, earning a score that secured her first place. This victory marked another milestone in her illustrious career, showcasing her continued dominance in the sport. Biles' journey to the gold was marked by her return to competition after taking a break following the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, where she overcame mental health challenges, demonstrating her resilience and commitment to excellence. 

The background colors in the image symbolize the spectrum of emotions that athletes experience—ranging from the passion and intensity of competition to the calm and focus required in moments of concentration. The red represents her powerful energy and the passion she exhibits in her performances. The blue hues symbolize calmness, highlighting her composed nature under immense pressure. The touch of purple signifies the regal quality of her achievements, crowning her as a queen of gymnastics. 

Biles' journey to the Paris 2024 Olympics is a testament to her dedication and resilience. Despite the pressure of being a world-renowned athlete and the mental and physical challenges she faced, she continued to train and compete at the highest level. Her decision to prioritize her mental health during the Tokyo 2020 Olympics inspired many and sparked a global conversation about athlete well-being. 

This artwork encapsulates the essence of Biles' journey—her grace, power, and the joy she brings to the sport. It's a celebration of her achievements and an acknowledgment of the strength it takes to rise above challenges. The Paris 2024 logo serves as a reminder of the global stage where she continues to shine, inspiring millions around the world. 

In creating this piece, my thoughts were focused on capturing the essence of an athlete who is not just a champion in the gym but also a champion of mental health and personal strength. Simone Biles is more than a gymnast; she is a beacon of resilience and inspiration, and this artwork is a tribute to her incredible journey.