As Simone Biles prepares for her return to the Olympics in Paris, the highly-acclaimed American gymnast is assured of her parents’ unwavering encouragement.
Following her unexpected withdrawal at the Tokyo Games, the 27-year-old is eager to make a comeback, aiming to enhance her collection of four Olympic gold medals as she leads Team USA.
With an already storied career, Biles frequently expresses her gratitude for her upbringing and the strong bond she shares with her parents.
When Simone was six, she and her siblings were adopted by their grandparents, Nellie and Ronald Biles, whom she has lovingly referred to as Mom and Dad ever since.
In the Facebook Watch series ‘Simone vs. Herself,’ Biles disclosed that her biological mother, Shannon, faced challenges with drug and alcohol addiction, leading to Simone and her siblings entering foster care when she was just three years old.
Simone Biles hopes to make a significant impact at the Paris Olympics and add to her gold medal tally.
Biles’ biological parents both struggled with addiction issues.
Biles recounted her biological mother’s troubles with the law and their experiences of sometimes going hungry.
‘I don’t remember much about foster care, but I certainly knew that we had been removed from our biological mother, and you always hope to return to her,’ Biles reflected.
Biles’ biological father, Kelvin Clemons, met Shannon as teenagers and also battled with addiction. In a 2016 interview with the Daily Mail, Shannon mentioned that she occasionally communicates with Kelvin, who is not in contact with their daughter.
‘He called me just this past Sunday. I said, ‘I’m watching Simone; are you watching her? Please call me back,’ she remembered. ‘He is aware that she is his daughter, and he is extremely proud of her.’
Simone’s grandparents, Nellie and Ronald Biles, adopted her and her siblings.
Nellie fully supported her daughter’s choice to withdraw from the Tokyo Olympics.
Biles expressed how ‘fortunate’ she felt to have remained with her siblings rather than being separated into different foster homes. She articulated her appreciation for her grandparents’ unwavering love and guidance.
‘Being taken from my biological mother and placed in foster care before my grandparents adopted me established a more positive path in my life,’ Biles stated. ‘I truly believe I wouldn’t have reached my current position without that pivotal moment.’
Nellie Biles, Simone’s grandmother, treasured the experiences she shared with Biles and her siblings, noting: ‘I remember fervently wishing for that connection.’
‘Expressing love and care is merely words, but one day you wake up and realize you would do absolutely anything for these children, that you would lay down your life for them. It’s at that moment you understand you are genuinely a mother.’
The bond between Biles and her family is evident, especially as she relied on her mother during challenging moments, including her emotional turmoil at the Tokyo Games.
Their deep connection was highlighted in the Netflix docuseries ‘Simone Biles Rising,’ particularly when Nellie’s reaction to Biles’ withdrawal was shared with the audience.
‘You can’t do it. It’s alright, sweetheart,’ Nellie reassured her daughter during a call. ‘They will manage without you.’
As Biles makes her anticipated return to the competition stage, both she and her teammates were notably absent from the glamorous opening ceremony and the parade of nations. While fans speculated about her absence, it was Nellie who clarified the reason behind her daughter’s decision to skip the events.
‘The first competition is on Sunday,’ Nellie explained, ‘which is the Women’s Qualifier. It’s essential for her to rest before that event.’
