Simone Biles is leading the charge of older gymnasts at the Olympics who are redefining their sport
Simone Biles. Even now, after two Olympics, six world championships, and a decade-plus in the spotlight. The most decorated gymnast of all time and the face of the U.S. Olympic movement will be chatting with someone when her age comes up.
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«They're like Oh my god, you're so cute, you're a kid'» Biles told The Associated Press with a somewhat exasperated laugh.
«Like I want to say 'I'm grown. I'm an adult now. I'm 27 years old.'»
Yet, the perception of Biles as a pony-tailed prodigy persists even as the demographics at the top of her sport shift.
Maybe, it's because all but one of the last 13 Olympic champions have been teenagers, including Biles when she triumphed in Rio de Janeiro eight years ago and US teammate and good friend Sunisa Lee, who was 18 when she edged Brazilian star Rebeca Andrade in a taut final in Tokyo in 2021.
They're both back on what they've labelled a " redemption tour." When Biles and Lee step onto the floor at Bercy Arena on Sunday for Olympic qualifying, they'll be joined by 2020 Olympic floor champion Jade Carey (24) and 2020 Olympic silver medalist Jordan Chiles (23) along with newcomer Hezly Rivera, at 16 by far the youngest member of the oldest team the Americans have ever sent to the Games.
Gone are the days when six-time Olympic medalist Aly Raisman was dubbed the team grandma in 2016 at all of 22, a moniker Biles jokingly
