Simone Biles and accolades seem to go hand in hand. Despite winning almost everything in her life she has aimed for, the awards and recognition just keep coming. Having completed a fantastic redemption at Paris, Biles has been growing in confidence ever since. And while she has not yet hinted at coming back to competitive gymnastics, the GOAT has just been perched on top of the sporting world. After all, Simone Biles has now added yet another coveted feather to her crown. She is now the Laureus Sportswoman of the Year!
Well, her route to victory was not at all a bed full of roses. As usual, daunting names surrounded her path. The list of nominees was announced back in March. Along with Biles, some more names from the Paris Olympics secured a gold medal. Some of Biles’s biggest competitors from the Olympics were Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and Julien Alfred. Both the stars took the Olympics by storm.
While McLaughlin-Levrone went on to secure her fourth consecutive Olympic gold medal. Julien Alfred, too, made history by becoming the first St.Lucian female to clinch an Olympic gold. But there’s more! Standing in Biles’ path were Aitana Bonmati, Aryna Sabalenka, Sifan Hassan, and Faith Kipyegon. But Biles’ grandeur on the mat eclipsed everybody else as she picked up the victory in phenomenal fashion.
This accolade adds to a long list of honors for Simone Biles. Back in 2024, Simone Biles was featured in Forbes’ Richest Female Athletes of the Year. And her estimated income? Well, it was reported to be a whopping $11.2 million! Speaking of her recent accolades, Biles recently eclipsed the likes of Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods!
With TIME releasing its list of 100 most influential people, Biles has now gotten more votes than both Woods and Jordan. The only other athletes standing in front of her are Serena Williams and LeBron James, with 5 votes each! Meanwhile, coming back to the Laureus award, this was not the first time Biles has crossed paths with the prestigious award.
Rebeca Andrade eyes Laureus glory after iconic Olympic moment, a year after Simone Biles bags it
Simone Biles clinched the Laureus World Comeback of the Year Award in 2024. A year later, the honor might go to another gymnastics icon. Her rival and friend, Rebeca Andrade. The Brazilian star, who returned from three anterior cruciate ligament injuries to win Olympic gold in Paris, is nominated for the prestigious award at the 2025 Laureus World Sports Awards.
Her comeback was immortalized in one of the most powerful images of the Paris Games—Andrade standing atop the podium after the floor final, flanked by Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles. The silver and bronze medalists bowed toward her in a moment that resonated far beyond sport. Rebeca later shared, “That was a truly historic moment.” She further added, “We are on the podium as three black women, each with their own different stories.”
The scene struck a chord with Nadia Comǎneci, who shared the stage with Andrade at a Laureus ‘Olympic Reflections’ event in Madrid. The Olympic legend said, “That was an amazing, historic photo, and I think it should become a trend of the podium… To appreciate it like that shows an amazing respect.” Rebeca Andrade, who described the experience of hearing her anthem as giving her “goosebumps,” reflected on the weight of that moment.
“We are talking about me on an Olympic podium, and it makes me really, really proud.” Now, as the spotlight is waiting to be shifted to the 2025 Laureus Awards after Simone’s win, gymnastics fans will surely be waiting to see Rebeca as the winner. More so because Andrade’s journey stands as a symbol of resilience and representation. Whether she wins, her comeback has already made history.
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