Flipping the Script: World's Greatest Gymnast Shuts Down Critics

Confidence is key, and Simone Biles has it in abundance.

After securing her sixth overall gold medal and second all-around title at the Summer Olympics, the 27-year-old gymnast spoke to the BBC, proudly flaunting her goat-shaped necklace.

When asked about the bold accessory, Biles simply stated the obvious: she’s the Greatest of All Time (G.O.A.T.) in her sport.

Simone Biles of Team United States poses with a necklace in the likeness of a goat after competing in the Artistic Gymnastics Women’s All-Around Final on day six of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Bercy Arena on August 1, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

“It’s a little ode to myself, I mean, a lot of people love it, and it’s only fitting that I got one made,” she said, referencing the nickname that’s stuck with her throughout her career.

In sports terminology, the term “G.O.A.T.” is often used to describe someone who has reached unparalleled heights in their respective field.

“And the haters hate it, so I love that even more. It’s just a special part of me that I have here, as well as in the village, where I have a stuffed goat to remind me: ‘You can go out there, you can do it, you’ve done it before, so let’s go,’” Biles added, embracing the title with pride.

Three years ago, during the Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Biles faced a setback when she had to withdraw from the competition due to a case of the “twisties,” a condition gymnasts experience when they lose their sense of spatial awareness mid-air.

This can be extremely dangerous, as it means they’re unsure when or how to land.

Unfortunately, Biles was met with criticism from ignorant individuals who labeled her as a bad teammate and mentally weak.

However, Biles has since proven them all wrong, solidifying her position as the greatest gymnast of all time.

And look at her now – she’s on top of the athletic world, with a record-breaking nine Olympic medals to her name.

“My goat necklace is just kind of an ode, because the people love it, and then some people hate it, so it’s like the best of both worlds,” the superstar told reporters in a press conference after the all-around final.

“And I was like, okay, if it goes well, I’ll wear the goat necklace, I know people will go crazy over it.

“But at the end of the day, it is crazy that I’m in the conversation of greatest of all time athletes, because I still think I’m Simone Biles from Spring, Texas that loves to flip.”

That may be true, but so is this:

Biles is now the most decorated U.S. gymnast in Olympic history, and her goat necklace is a well-deserved symbol of her hard-earned success.

Biles and her American teammates — Suni Lee, Jordan Chiles, Jade Carey, and Lezly Rivera — won gold in the women’s gymnastics team final on Tuesday, July 30.

Biles’ subsequent gold medal victory on Thursday, August 1, brought her total tally to nine Olympic medals, solidifying her position as the greatest gymnast of all time.

The icon had previously won gold in the all-around competition at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

She’s the G.O.A.T. Period.