‘You represent the best of America’ – Simone Biles lauded by President Joe Biden
Simone Biles’ record-breaking exploits have been hailed by US president Joe Biden, who mentioned the gymnast represents “the best” of America.
Biles, a 19-time world champion, claimed a file eighth all-around US Championship title at the weekend with a complete of 118.40, 4 clear of runner-up Shilese Jones in San Jose.
The 26-year-old solely returned to competitors in Chicago earlier this month after a two-year break from gymnastics.
At the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, Biles suffered from “the twisties” – a phenomenon which impacts an athlete’s spatial consciousness – and needed to withdraw from 5 of her six finals.
She subsequently took a break from the sport earlier than she returned to motion earlier in August.
Biles’ record-breaking exploits on Sunday, 10 years on from successful her first all-around US Championship, resulted in excessive reward from Biden, who hailed the American athlete as a “trailblazer.”
“Once we see Simone compete, we’re witnessing unmatched energy and charm,” Biden wrote on Twitter.
“Not solely is she the first in historical past to carry all eight U.S. gymnastics titles, however she’s a trailblazer who spoke up for many who couldn’t communicate for themselves.
“You represent the best of America.”
The seven-time Olympic medallist turned the oldest feminine US champion since the occasion was first organised by USA Gymnastics in 1963.
She is predicted to bid so as to add to her haul of 25 World Championship medals in Antwerp in September.
Biles has not confirmed whether or not she plans to compete at subsequent yr’s Olympic Video games in Paris.
