Simone Biles honored as Sports Illustrated’s 2024 Sportsperson of the Year

American gymnast Simone Biles has earned another prestigious accolade to add to her illustrious career.

The 11-time Olympic medalist was named Sports Illustrated’s 2024 Sportsperson of the Year.

“Honestly, it is such a huge honor. I know some of the greats that have won it in prior years, so to just keep gymnastics on the map is really exciting,” Biles, 27, shared with Good Morning America about the recognition. “I know a lot of people love the sport of gymnastics during an Olympic year and have followed my career closely, but I was still very shocked.”

She added, “I feel like I’m always shocked winning any sort of award or being honored.”

This award comes on the heels of an extraordinary year for Biles, highlighted by her dominant performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics. She secured four medals across the team, all-around, vault, and floor exercise events, further cementing her legacy in the sport.

Following her success in Paris, Biles is now tied as the second-most decorated female gymnast in Olympic history, according to the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee. She claimed three gold medals and one silver medal, marking a triumphant return after her challenges at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where she withdrew from the team final due to “the twisties,” a condition that disrupts a gymnast’s spatial awareness.

Sports Illustrated praised Biles for her resilience, impact, and contributions both on and off the mat. “Simone Biles is Sports Illustrated’s 2024 Sportsperson of the Year because she won gold, and then another gold, and then another; because she changed the face of her sport and the conversations around athletes in general; because she continues to speak out about issues that matter to her,” the magazine wrote.

Biles accepted the 2024 Sportsperson of the Year award in person on January 7 at Sports Illustrated’s annual awards ceremony in Las Vegas.