Simone Biles Says She ‘Wouldn’t Be’ an Olympic Legend Without ‘Adoption’ and Her Parents

Simone Biles competed astatine nan Paris Olympics connected her terms and wore a grin connected her look that almost seemed permanent. After earning 4 medals to return backmost location to nan U.S., nan Texas autochthonal thanked her parents, Nellie and Ronald, for championing her to history-making success.

“You were personification who dreamt of being a gymnast, and you’re present today,” Today show big Hoda Kotb told Simone successful beforehand of nan Eiffel Tower connected Tuesday, August 6. “So, if you had to reply this question: ‘If not for blank, I would not beryllium present today.’ If not for blank … who’s that person?”

The master athlete, 27, seemingly didn’t person to deliberation doubly astir an reply arsenic she responded, “If not for my parents and adoption, I wouldn’t beryllium present today.”

Simone had a marvelous tally astatine nan Paris Games, taking location 2 golden and 1 metallic individual medals and a squad golden badge alongside chap squad U.S.A. women’s gymnasts Suni Lee, Jordan Chiles, Jade Carey and Hezly Rivera.

While Simone had her parents and husband Jonathan Owens successful nan stands astatine nan Paris Games, nan aforesaid couldn’t beryllium said for her clip astatine nan 2020 Tokyo Olympics that were held successful 2021.

“They missed Tokyo [because of COVID-19], truthful this was for illustration a cherry connected apical for them,” nan gymnast told Hoda, 59, earlier successful nan interview. “Paris is specified a beautiful city, and seeing each nan girls compete — and almost nan aforesaid nonstop girls arsenic successful Tokyo — truthful they were just, like, ecstatic.”

Simone’s heartfelt reply made Hoda, who adopted daughters Haley and Hope, speechless. She called nan infinitesimal “so beautiful.” Fans were besides successful their feelings aft they watched a clip of nan question and reply via Instagram.

“Hit Hoda correct successful nan feels,” 1 personification wrote successful nan comments conception of nan video posted by nan charismatic Today show account.

“Blood is not thicker than water. LOVE is nan thickest of all!” a 2nd instrumentality commented, adding, “Hoda must person loved her response, having adopted 2 children herself! Gotta Love Simone and Hoda!!”

A 3rd instrumentality gushed, “A awesome illustration of why take is specified an astonishing thing. Every small boy and woman deserves nan chance to scope for their dreams.”

Simone has been unfastened astir her untraditional family move complete nan years. Her biologic mother, Shannon Biles, gave nan SK-II spokeswoman and her 3 siblings up for take owed to her struggles pinch addiction.

With Simone’s biologic father, Kelvin Clemons, being retired of nan picture, Shannon’s estranged father, Ronald, stepped successful to thief nan kids 3 years later.

Simone’s biologic grandfather and Nellie adopted Simone and her younger sister, Adria, successful 2003, and raised them successful Spring, Texas. Meanwhile, Ronald’s sister adopted Simone’s 2 eldest siblings, Ashley and Tevin.

“That’s besides crazy explaining to group because I’m like, ‘My biologic mom is besides my dad’s daughter, and I telephone him dad,’” Simone told Alex Cooper during an April quality connected nan “Call Her Daddy” podcast. “So it’s conscionable like, everybody’s hella confused … It’s a full family character that you’re like, ‘Don’t make maine explicate it. My parents are my parents. I sewage chosen. Feeling blessed.’”