Olympic gymnastics legend Simone Biles has responded to critics who questioned her decision to vacation in Belize shortly after revealing she had a life-threatening medical emergency. Biles, who called the health scare one of the scariest experiences of her life, said the trip was essential for her recovery.
Vacation Backlash
Biles traveled to Belize with her husband, NFL player Jonathan Owens, and shared multiple photo galleries on Instagram. One user commented on her post, writing, 'Almost died but look at these traveling selfies,' accompanied by crying-laughing emojis. Biles replied directly, expressing sadness at the negativity.
'Ugh these comments make me sad,' Biles wrote. 'A little over two weeks ago, I experienced a serious medical emergency that could have ended very differently, and this trip has been part of allowing myself to heal & appreciate being here.' She added that she hopes followers can 'understand that life-changing experiences can shift your perspective and that you’re able to extend a little more grace to others moving forward.'
Medical Emergency Details
The seven-time Olympic gold medalist first shared news of her health scare on Instagram Story earlier in June, posting a photo of herself wearing hospital wristbands. She described it as 'one of, if not the scariest experience of my life' and wrote, 'Almost dying wasn’t on my bingo card earlier this week.'
Biles promised to explain what happened but has not yet elaborated. When a fan asked about the medical event in a comment on her vacation post, she replied, 'not ready to talk about it just yet,' adding a wounded heart emoji. She previously mentioned resting in bed and thanked her close circle for reaching out.
Simone Biles' Legacy
Biles, 29, is widely considered the greatest gymnast of all time. She has won 11 Olympic medals across three Summer Games, including seven gold medals, and holds 30 World Championship medals, making her the most-decorated gymnast in history. At 4-foot-8, she has pioneered five maneuvers that bear her name, showcasing unprecedented power and agility.
She married Owens, a safety for the Indianapolis Colts, in 2023 during a destination wedding in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Owens is entering his eighth NFL season and first with the Colts, having previously played for the Chicago Bears, Houston Texans, and Green Bay Packers.
