There are a lot of reasons it’s difficult to quantify how profoundly astounding Simone Biles has been during her career as a gymnast, but perhaps the most germane is the method used to quantify her performances. When it was Nadia Comaneci on the uneven parallel bars at the 1976 Olympics, everyone watching plainly could understand the first-ever perfect 10. It was a moment that helped build the stage and broaden the audience for those athletes who followed, all the way up to Biles’ introduction to the planet more than a decade ago.
When Biles won her first World Championship in 2013, however, she did not score a single perfect 10. In winning the women’s All-Around title six times, she never hit that mark once. Because it no longer exists. The scoring system in gymnastics now is so complicated it requires knowledge of the sport and a Masters’ in Applied Mathematics to comprehend. I believe that’s the biggest reason Biles was not selected by the staff of The Sporting News as the No. 1 athlete from the first 25 years of the 21st century. Man, I tried. Obviously, I failed. Perhaps this is not so much a reason as an excuse. I’m sticking to it.
The Ranking That Sparked a Firestorm
When SN’s Top 25 Athletes Since 2000 list dropped, it didn’t just stir conversation — it ignited a full-blown internet storm. One name sat at the center of the chaos: Simone Biles.
Fans expected her at No. 1. Analysts debated fiercely. Social media exploded with hot takes, memes, and angry keyboard taps. But when the final list revealed Simone wasn’t ranked first, the sports world froze for a second and said, “Wait… what?”
And honestly? I had her as my No. 1. Let’s unpack why she didn’t get that top spot — and why, in my eyes, she absolutely deserved it.
What Is SN’s Top 25 Athletes Since 2000 List?
The Purpose Behind the Ranking
SN (Sports Network) created this list to spotlight the most dominant, influential, and iconic athletes of the 21st century. It’s not just about trophies. It’s about legacy.
They factored in:
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Championships
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Records
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Longevity
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Cultural impact
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Global influence
Why This List Carries So Much Weight
When a major sports authority releases a list like this, it becomes gospel for some fans… and rage fuel for others. These rankings shape legacies, debates, and history itself.
So when Simone wasn’t crowned No. 1, people took it personally.
Simone Biles’ Case for Being the Greatest Since 2000
She Didn’t Just Dominate — She Redefined the Sport
Simone didn’t just win medals. She literally changed gymnastics.
She has multiple skills named after her — a rare honor in the sport. That’s not dominance. That’s evolution.
Medal Count That Feels Unreal
Her Olympic and World Championship medal totals read like a video game career mode on easy difficulty:
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Dozens of world medals
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Multiple Olympic golds
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Historic all-around titles
Most athletes dream of one gold. She collected them like souvenirs.
Difficulty Level No One Else Dared to Touch
What makes Simone terrifyingly great? She performed skills so difficult that judges had to rewrite rules to score her properly.
That’s like being so smart the test has to be redesigned.
Then Why Wasn’t She Ranked No. 1?
Here’s where things get complicated.
SN’s Bias Toward Team Sports Superstars
Let’s be real. Lists like this often lean toward:
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Football legends
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Basketball icons
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Soccer phenoms
Individual sports don’t always get the same love. Gymnastics, for all its beauty and brutality, isn’t as commercially loud.
That matters more than people like to admit.
Longevity Became a Quiet Factor
Some athletes ranked above Simone had:
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Longer careers
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More seasons played
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More total finals appearances
While Simone’s career is legendary, it hasn’t stretched across decades like some team sport icons.
But should longevity outweigh peak dominance? That’s the real debate.
The Mental Health Moment That Changed Everything
Tokyo 2020 and the Twist That Shocked the World
When Simone stepped back during the Tokyo Olympics due to mental health concerns, the world split in two camps:
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Those who supported her courage
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Those who questioned her grit
That moment didn’t make her weaker — it made her human.
Why That Decision Actually Strengthened Her Legacy
She showed the world:
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It’s okay to step back
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Safety matters
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Mental health isn’t weakness
That moment alone changed sports culture forever.
My Personal Vote — Why I Had Simone at No. 1
She Dominated Without a Safety Net
In team sports, one bad game can be covered by teammates.
In gymnastics? It’s just you. No subs. No second chances. One slip — and history changes.
That pressure is brutal.
She Became Bigger Than Her Sport
Simone isn’t just an athlete.
She’s:
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A mental health advocate
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A role model
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A cultural icon
Not many athletes shift society. She did.
Peak Power Beats Longevity
I’ll say it clearly: peak dominance matters more than long careers.
Simone’s peak wasn’t just high — it was untouchable.
The Athletes Who Likely Ranked Above Her
Team Sport “Dynasty” Players
Athletes like:
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Elite basketball legends
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Championship football quarterbacks
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Global football icons
They benefited from:
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Team success
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Massive media coverage
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Billion-dollar leagues
That visibility skews perception.
Why Individual Sports Often Get Undervalued
No Teammates = No Shared Glory
Individual sports don’t get parade-sized celebrations or primetime coverage like team sports.
But the difficulty? Often much higher.
The Marketing Gap
Brands and networks push what sells most.
Football sells. Basketball sells. Soccer sells.
Gymnastics? Not as aggressively.
That affects rankings more than people admit.
What Makes Simone’s Legacy Untouchable
Skills Literally Named After Her
Very few athletes get this honor.
She has multiple.
That alone should scream “greatest.”
The Fear Factor She Gave Competitors
Other gymnasts weren’t competing to beat her.
They were competing for second place.
That’s dominance.
The Internet’s Reaction Was Loud — And Emotiona
Fans Felt Robbed
Twitter, Reddit, TikTok — the anger wasn’t fake.
People felt like history was being rewritten incorrectly.
Athletes Weighed In Too
Even fellow competitors and legends quietly questioned the ranking.
That tells you everything.
Does a “No. 1” Spot Really Define Greatness?
Legacy Lives Outside of Lists
Rankings fade.
Impact doesn’t.
Years from now, children will still say, “She changed gymnastics forever.”
History Has a Way of Correcting Lists
Plenty of legends were under-ranked in their time.
History fixed it later.
It will here, too.
The Real Reason I Believe She Deserved No. 1
It comes down to this:
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No one dominated like her
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No one changed their sport like her
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No one carried that level of pressure so gracefully
That’s not normal greatness.
That’s rare greatness.
That’s No. 1 greatness.
Conclusion: Simone Didn’t Need the Top Spot to Be the Greatest
Was Simone Biles ranked No. 1? No.
Did that change anything? Also no.
She’s still the gymnast who broke boundaries, shattered ceilings, and made the impossible look routine. Lists are written by people. Legends are written by time.
And in my book — she’ll always be No. 1.
