When people talk about greatness in sports, a few names instantly rise above the rest. Among them stands Simone Biles—a gymnast whose performances seem to defy physics and redefine what the human body can accomplish.
Recently, Biles earned yet another remarkable distinction: being ranked the second-best female athlete of the 21st century. For fans of gymnastics, this recognition felt almost inevitable. For the broader sports world, it sparked an exciting conversation about dominance, resilience, and legacy.
But what exactly makes Simone Biles so extraordinary? Why does her name stand among the greatest athletes in modern history?
Let’s dive into the story behind the ranking—and the legacy of a gymnast who changed sports forever.
The Rise of Simone Biles
From Foster Care to Olympic Stardom
Simone Biles’ journey began far from the spotlight. Born in 1997 in Columbus, Ohio, she faced a difficult childhood that included time in foster care. Eventually, she and her sister were adopted by their grandparents, who became the foundation of her future success.
Then something remarkable happened.
During a daycare field trip to a gymnastics gym, coaches noticed the young girl copying advanced moves she saw other athletes perform. That moment changed everything.
Within a few years, Biles was training intensely, showing a level of power and control rarely seen in gymnastics.
It was clear: the sport had found its next superstar.
The Early Signs of Greatness
Before long, Simone Biles began dominating junior competitions.
Her routines displayed something unique:
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Explosive power
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Unmatched air awareness
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Precision under pressure
Many gymnasts rely on elegance. Others rely on strength.
Biles brought both—and then added difficulty no one else dared attempt.
Dominating the World Stage
A Historic Olympic Debut
The 2016 Rio Olympics turned Simone Biles into a global icon.
At just 19 years old, she won:
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4 Olympic gold medals
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1 bronze medal
Her performances looked effortless, almost like gravity had temporarily stepped aside.
Viewers around the world watched in awe as she flipped, twisted, and landed with near-perfect control.
Suddenly, the world wasn’t just watching gymnastics.
They were watching Simone Biles redefine it.
The Moves That Changed Gymnastics
Most gymnasts perform existing moves.
Biles creates new ones.
Several skills are now officially named after her because no other athlete had successfully performed them in major competition.
These include:
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The Biles on floor exercise
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The Biles on vault
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The Biles dismount on beam
In gymnastics, having one move named after you is legendary.
Simone Biles has multiple.
That’s like inventing entirely new notes in a musical scale.
The Numbers Behind the Legacy
World Championship Dominance
If Olympic medals bring fame, World Championships build legacies.
Simone Biles owns the record for most World Championship medals in gymnastics history.
Her medal haul includes:
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25 World Championship medals
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19 gold medals
Those numbers aren’t just impressive.
They’re historic.
A Level of Consistency Rarely Seen
Athletes often peak for a few years.
Biles dominated for nearly a decade.
Think about that for a moment.
In a sport where careers are often short and injuries common, she remained at the top year after year.
It’s like watching someone win the same race over and over—while running faster each time.
The Mental Strength That Redefined Sports
The Courage to Step Back
In the 2020 Tokyo Olympics (held in 2021), Simone Biles made headlines—not for a medal, but for a decision.
She withdrew from several events to focus on her mental health.
For some athletes, that might have been controversial.
Instead, it became a powerful moment in sports history.
Biles reminded the world that athletes are human first.
Her honesty sparked a global conversation about mental health in competitive sports.
Changing the Culture of Athletics
For decades, athletes were told to “push through” anything.
Pain. Stress. Fear.
Simone Biles helped change that narrative.
Her decision encouraged athletes everywhere to prioritize well-being.
In many ways, that moment was just as influential as any gold medal.
Why She Ranked 2nd Best Female Athlete of the 21st Century
A Combination of Dominance and Innovation
The ranking of Simone Biles as the second-best female athlete of the century reflects several factors:
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Dominance in her sport
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Historic medal achievements
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Innovation and difficulty
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Cultural impact
Few athletes check all four boxes.
Biles checks them with style.
The Only Athlete Ahead of Her
Many rankings place tennis legend Serena Williams at the top of the list.
Williams dominated tennis for more than two decades and reshaped the sport globally.
Being ranked just behind such a legendary athlete isn’t a loss.
It’s a confirmation of Simone Biles’ place in history.
The Unique Athleticism of Simone Biles
Power Meets Precision
Gymnastics demands:
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Strength
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Flexibility
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Balance
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Coordination
But Biles adds something rare—explosive power.
Her jumps reach incredible height, giving her time to perform twists that most gymnasts wouldn’t attempt.
It’s like watching someone press pause on gravity.
Risk and Reward
Many of Biles’ skills carry such high difficulty that judges initially struggled to score them fairly.
Why?
Because she was performing moves far beyond the standard difficulty scale.
In other words, the sport had to catch up to her.
Global Influence Beyond Gymnastics
A Role Model for Millions
Simone Biles represents more than athletic excellence.
She represents:
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resilience
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courage
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authenticity
Young athletes around the world look up to her—not just for medals, but for the way she handles challenges.
Inspiring the Next Generation
Walk into any gymnastics gym today and you’ll see young athletes attempting Biles-inspired skills.
Her influence spreads through every flip and landing.
It’s like watching a ripple effect across the entire sport.
The Legacy Still Being Written
A Career That Continues to Evolve
Unlike many athletes ranked among the greatest, Simone Biles’ story isn’t finished.
She continues competing, inspiring, and raising the bar for what’s possible.
That means something remarkable:
Her legacy is still growing.
What the Future Might Hold
Could she win more Olympic medals?
Break more records?
Introduce new skills?
With Simone Biles, the answer is always the same:
Never bet against her.
Why Fans Around the World Celebrate This Ranking
Recognition of True Greatness
When rankings name Simone Biles the second-best female athlete of the century, fans see it as validation.
They’ve watched the routines.
They’ve seen the impossible landings.
They know the truth:
Biles isn’t just great.
She’s once-in-a-generation extraordinary.
A Symbol of Excellence
Every era has athletes who define it.
Michael Jordan defined basketball in the 1990s.
Usain Bolt defined sprinting in the 2010s.
Simone Biles defines modern gymnastics.
Conclusion
Simone Biles’ ranking as the second-best female athlete of the 21st century is more than a statistic—it’s a celebration of one of the most remarkable sports careers ever witnessed.
Her journey from a young girl discovering gymnastics on a daycare trip to becoming a global icon is nothing short of extraordinary. Through groundbreaking routines, historic medal counts, and fearless honesty about mental health, Biles has reshaped what it means to be an athlete.
And perhaps the most exciting part?
Her story isn’t over.
Every time Simone Biles steps onto the mat, the world holds its breath—because history might be about to happen again.