Simone Biles is officially that girl—as if we didn’t already know. The gymnastics legend has been named Sportsperson of the Year by Sports Illustrated, and honestly, no one should be surprised. Nobody else is flipping, twisting, and making history like Biles is. The year 2024 was all about her comeback, proving she’s not just the G.O.A.T. of gymnastics but also the definition of resilience and inspiration.
In 2023, Biles snagged her eighth U.S. all-around title at the National Gymnastics Championships—the first person to ever earn the accomplishment. And in 2024 she became the most decorated gymnast in history with 37 World Championship and Olympic medals combined.
But Biles’s legacy isn’t just about gold medals and jaw-dropping routines. She’s also the queen of putting mental health front and center. During the 2020 Tokyo Olympics she stepped back to focus on her mental well-being and set a new standard for self-care. Her bold move changed the way we look at athletes and mental health forever.
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“Simone Biles is Sports Illustrated’s 2024 Sportsperson of the Year because she won gold, and then another gold, and then another; because she changed the face of her sport and the conversations around athletes in general; because she continues to speak out about issues that matter to her,” Sports Illustrated says of Biles.
Beyond the gym, Biles continues to use her voice for change. She’s been a fierce advocate for abuse survivors and a force for accountability in sports. And let’s not forget how she’s become a role model for young athletes, showing them you can prioritize yourself while still being a champion.
Simone Biles’s story isn’t just about breaking records—it’s about breaking barriers. And she’s proven time and again that she’s more than an athlete. Biles is a cultural icon, a trailblazer, and a worthy recipient of Sportsperson of the Year.
