U.S. gymnast Simone Biles’ most recent gold medal achievement was more than an astounding display of athleticism to Bishop Robert Barron; it signified a “sacred” exhibition of athletic grace.
Biles has established herself as the preeminent U.S. female gymnast in history after winning gold in the all-around competition at the Paris Olympic Games on Thursday.
Barron, who leads the Diocese of Winona-Rochester in Minnesota and is a prominent Catholic figure, remarked that Biles’ display of skill and poise reminded him of NBA legend Michael Jordan’s prime.
“Watching Simone Biles last night and her incredible performance was phenomenal,” he shared with Fox News Digital. “She is the GOAT – the greatest of all time. It brought back memories of watching Michael Jordan during his peak; he was something extraordinary surrounded by other great players. The same goes for Simone; when she performed, it reached an unmatched level of excellence, you know?”
Gold medalist Simone Biles of Team United States poses on the podium during the Artistic Gymnastics Women’s All-Around Final medal ceremony on day six of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Bercy Arena on August 01, 2024 in Paris, France. (Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)
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Barron noted that her performance evoked the spirit of the ancient Greek Olympics and their reverence for sports achievements, emphasizing that the beauty of athletics lies in the pursuit of excellence for its own sake.
“I watch Simone Biles not to achieve anything else,” he expressed. “I am simply appreciating how beautiful her performance is. For me, as a person of faith, that reflects a certain value in the world. There is something intrinsically sacred about it.”
“I refer to it as contemplation. That’s the essence of enjoying a baseball game or witnessing the greatest perform; you are appreciating the beauty of that performance. It holds a mystical quality, something remarkable. This is why the Olympics have persisted since ancient times and continue to capture our attention.”
Biles’ return comes after a challenging experience at the 2021 Tokyo Games, where she notably withdrew from the all-around final due to experiencing the “twisties.” This year, she reflected on the mixed reactions she received for being open about her struggles and triumphantly returned to the sport’s grandest stage.
Her latest performance once more captured the hearts of Americans, who felt immense pride as they watched her win gold.
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Bishop Robert Barron, head of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester in Minnesota. (Word on Fire Ministries)
“This is why beauty serves as a connection point,” Barron asserted. “And indeed, at the Olympic Games, when nations across the globe come together, even in principle, that’s the essence of it. It reflects the beauty of a magnificent artwork, a significant spiritual event, or an astounding athletic performance. They all possess this unifying power.”
Biles and her fellow American teammate Suni Lee waved and paraded around with the American flag, smiling and greeting the audience after Lee also secured a bronze in the all-around competition. The duo further contributed to the American team’s gold medal achievement in Paris.
Biles still has opportunities to expand her total of nine Olympic medals with upcoming finals in the floor exercise, balance beam, and vault.
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Barron had previously gained attention for his remarks regarding the portrayal of the Last Supper during the opening ceremonies of the Paris Olympics, discussing its deep significance to Christianity and expressing disappointment over its perceived representation with drag queens.
