Simone Biles’ Grandparents Became Her Parents after Mom Starved Her — Now Proud Dad Walks Her Down the Aisle (Page 6 ) | September 2, 2024

Annonce:

Despite this, Nellie wholeheartedly embraced her grandchildren, who eventually became her own daughters. “I don’t know the exact date, but my heart just made room,” she said.

Nellie wholeheartedly supported Biles’ career as a gymnast. When she was in the 9th grade, she was given an ultimatum: to remain in school and not reach an elite level of gymnastics, or to start home-schooling while leveling up to the elite level.

Being homeschooled meant not experiencing things girls her age would. Nellie told her she wouldn’t be going to prom, no extra-curricular activities, and no hangouts with classmates.

It was a decision that Nellie and Ronald did not force Biles to make. They wanted her to make the decision herself, and after a few days of crying, she said she would do it.

Biles never missed a day of gymnastics practice, even when she was sick. She had her parents by her side, and they stuck by her throughout her career.

During one of her competitions near Chicago in 2013, Nellie invited Shanon to watch Simone compete. Nellie said her decision was because Shanon was so close, and she felt it was important for her to see how Simone was doing.

Unfortunately, Shanon’s presence was confusing for both the audience and Biles. During the competition, she ended up distracted and fell during her turn.

She also introduced herself as “Simone’s mom” to those in attendance, despite Nellie being around. Three months after the incident, Biles won her first world title.

The following year, Ronald and Nellie opened the World Champions Centre in Spring, Texas. As Biles’ longtime coach, Aimee Boorman, hopped from gym to gym based on her employment, they decided to put up their own gym so Biles could continue to train with her.

Aside from Biles herself, the gym is home to many aspiring gymnasts. Even those from Houston travel 40 miles to get to the World Champions Centre, in hopes of their daughter someday becoming the next Simone Biles.

Through the years, Ronald and Nellie were told by friends that they had changed the course of history – particularly that of gymnastics. “Your choice years ago literally impacted the history of gymnastics,” a friend wrote on his Facebook.

Biles was on her way to making history yet again at the Tokyo Olympics when she pulled out of multiple events. Her decision to walk away was criticized by many, but the gymnast argued it was the biggest win because for once, she finally prioritized her mental health.

Without her parents in the stands for the first time, Biles was disoriented. It was the very first time her parents missed a competition, and she said the situation at the Olympics was unlike any other.

Simone Biles’ sister and grandmother attend the Artistic Gymnastics at the Olympic Arena during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro on August 14, 2016. | Source: Getty Images