Michelle Obama has given Simone Biles another reason to feel appreciated, naming the gymnastics superstar among her four greatest women athletes and prompting an emotional response from the Olympic champion.
As speculation grows over a possible return at the 2028 Los Angeles Games, the former First Lady of the United States selected Biles alongside tennis legends Serena Williams and Billie Jean King, as well as basketball icon Lisa Leslie.
Simone Biles breaks down in tears as she says goodbye to the home that stood by her for six years
“Right now, she can do it all,” Michelle said to Coach Jackie J for Is She Game? “I mean, just watching, she’s, you know, there are no words.”
Michelle also marvelled at the physical demands of elite gymnastics, highlighting Biles' extraordinary power and ability to launch herself high into the air during tumbling passes – something very few gymnasts are capable of matching.
Estimating that the gymnast can reach around 13 feet, she summed up her reaction by simply adding, “It’s nuts.”
And Biles was delighted by the recognition, sharing the video on Instagram and addressing the philanthropist and public speaker directly as she gave a heart-warming response.
“Mrs. Michelle Obama you made my year,” Biles wrote online, showing how much the praise meant to a serial gold medallist and a champion who has endured intense scrutiny throughout her career.
Michelle also celebrated Biles at the 2024 Paris Olympics after the American and teammate Jordan Chiles bowed to Brazilian gymnast Rebeca Andrade on the podium following the women's floor exercise final.
Despite some criticism of the gesture, Michelle praised the display of respect, sportsmanship and camaraderie between the two United States representatives in front of a global audience.
Team USA's Simone Biles LAPRESSE
Could Simone Biles return for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics?
Questions still remain about whether Biles will compete at the 2028 Olympic Games as despite the 29-year-old being regarded as the best in the world, she has not confirmed plans to return to Team USA.
Biles has won 11 Olympic medals, including seven golds, across three tournaments in Rio de Janeiro, Tokyo and Paris but confessed that family planning is an important consideration as she approaches 30.
Married to the Indianapolis Colts’ Jonathan Owens since 2023, she has spoken openly about weighing the demands of gymnastics against her hopes of starting a family in the coming years.
“I am getting to the age of 30,” Biles said. “Where we start to talk about, ‘What does your reproduction cycle … what’s going on in there? What does that look like? How healthy is it?’
“And so I think these are major things that are on the table at my age that I have to take in consideration and weigh those options and what that looks like and when we want to start a family.”