- In the Sign of the Goat
After winning her second gold medal in Paris, Simone Biles proudly held up a small goat charm dangling from her necklace to the cameras. "Goat," short for "Greatest Of All Time," is what the 27-year-old American is called by her fans, as she has won more awards than any other gymnast. In her sport, Biles is the greatest of all time, and the 3D jewelry piece, adorned with over 540 diamonds, holds a special meaning for her. Before competitions, the animal reminds her of her past achievements, Biles revealed after winning the all-around: "It tells me, 'You can do it, you've done it before.'"
Biles first wore a bedazzled goat head on her leotard at the 2019 U.S. Championships. The sparkling goat is also a confident message to hateful commenters and internet trolls. After withdrawing from the team all-around final at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics due to mental health issues, Biles faced criticism, particularly from conservative circles, for being cowardly and lacking sportsmanship.
Now, in Paris, Biles is making a breathtaking comeback, with many eager to watch. Celebrities like Nicole Kidman, Natalie Portman, Serena Williams, and Bill Gates cheered on the American team's gold medal at the Bercy Arena during the team final. Earlier, during qualifications, Lady Gaga, Tom Cruise, Anna Wintour, and Ariana Grande admired Biles' vault skills from the stands. At just 1.42 meters tall, Biles has proven in Paris that she truly deserves to wear her goat charm.
I'm not planning to respond to the criticisms about my withdrawal in Tokyo. Regardless of what others may say, I'm focusing on my performances in Paris.
