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Simone Biles Named 2024 Sportsperson of the Year After Paris Olympics Triumph

Jan 2, 2025, 03:36 PM

Simone Biles, the 27-year-old 11-time Olympic medalist and widely regarded as the greatest gymnast in history, has been named Sports Illustrated's 2024 Sportsperson of the Year. The accolade follows her exceptional performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she won three gold medals in the team all-around, individual all-around, and vault events, as well as a silver medal in the floor exercise. These achievements brought her total Olympic medal count to 11, making her the most decorated American gymnast in history. Biles' recognition also highlights her influence beyond the sport, including her advocacy for mental health awareness, her work with the nonprofit Friends of the Children, and her plans to design a 2025 collection with Athleta. This marks a remarkable comeback for Biles after her challenges at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, where she withdrew from multiple events due to mental health struggles. She will officially receive the award at Sports Illustrated's annual ceremony on January 7, 2025, in Las Vegas, hosted by Keegan-Michael Key.