American gymnast Simone Biles has previously spoken out about receiving unwarranted criticism about her hair
Simone Biles has dazzled viewers with her elite gymnastics performances at this year’s Olympics – but she hasn’t minced her words towards people who were instead focusing on her hair.
Biles, who currently holds eight Olympic and 30 World Championship medals, is the most decorated gymnast in history.
The 27-year-old is part of the American team which took home the gold medal in recent days at the artistic gymnastics team final in Paris.
Gymnasts often wear their hair in styles that ensures it will stay out of their faces to focus on performing.
Simone Biles is the most decorated gymnast in history. (Aytac Unal/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Following Biles’ most recent Olympics performance, social media was awash with cruel comments about her hair.
Susanna Reid holds back tears over Robin Windsor’s death
One person said it looked as though she had ‘just rolled out of bed’, with another calling her hairstyle ‘sloppy’.
Biles later shared a snap on social media which showed her hair pulled back into a ponytail.
The iconic Instagram Story caption was sure to stop critics in their tracks, as she wrote: “Don’t come for me about my hair.
“IT WAS DONE but bus has no AC and it’s like 9,000 degrees. Oh and a 45-minute ride.”
The next image she shared showed her fanning her face due to the heat. Biles wrote: “Gonna hold your hand when I say this.
“Next time you wanna comment on a Black girl’s hair. JUST DON’T.”
Biles took to her Instagram Story to address the critics. (Instagram/@simonebiles)
Biles has been open about her hair journey when it comes to gymnastics and expectations.
In an interview with Elle earlier this month, the gymnast credited social media with giving her inspiration, saying: “We’ve [Black women] been able to take care of our hair better and take care of our beauty routines better, because it’s self-taught. It’s really special that we have access to those platforms.”
She continued: “I used to worry about [my hair being considered] not professional. But I’m not embarrassed about it anymore.”
Many fans leapt to the gymnast’s defence. (Instagram/@simonebiles)
Following the criticism Biles received online, many loyal fans leapt to her defence.
One person wrote: “Imagine being the kind of person who watches Simone Biles perform moves that no one else can do, twirl in the air multiple times and land on her two feet… only to comment on her hair! Imagine having that mentality?”
Another said: “Simone Biles is out here making history and people are worried about her hair. We really are cooked as a people.”
A third added: “I hateeeee people especially women who comment on Simone Biles hair. Cause yall not out there doing damn flips and winning medals. It’s so wild to me.”
Team GB’s current medal count – 16
Gold medallists
- Rosalind Canter, Laura Collett, Tom McEwen: Equestrian – Eventing team
- Tom Pidcock: Mountain Bike – Men’s cross country
- Nathan Hales: Shooting – Men’s trap
- Tom Dean, Kieran Bird, James Guy, Jack McMillan, Matthew Richards, Duncan Scott: Swimming – Men’s 4x200m freestyle
- Alex Yee: Men’s triathlon
- Lauren Henry, Lola Anderson, Hannah Scott and Georgina Brayshaw: Rowing – Women’s quadruple sculls
Silver medallists
- Anna Henderson: Cycling – Women’s individual time trial
- Adam Peaty: Swimming – Men’s 100m breaststroke
- Tom Daley and Noah Williams: Diving – Men’s synchronised 10m platform
- Adam Burgess: Canoe Slalom – Men’s canoe single
- Matthew Richards: Swimming – Men’s 200m freestyle
Bronze medallists
- Yasmin Harper and Scarlett Mew Jensen: Diving – Women’s synchronised 3m springboard
- Kimberley Woods: Canoe – Women’s slalom
- Laura Collett: Equestrian – Eventing individual
- Beth Potter: Women’s triathlon
- Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix and Lois Toulson: Diving – Women’s synchronised 10m platform
Featured Image Credit: Aytac Unal/Anadolu via Getty Images/Jean Catuffe/Getty Images
Topics: Hair, Olympics, Sport, Simone Biles
Kya Buller
Simone Biles’ perfect response to hair criticism highlights grim issue that’s always affected sport
For far too long, Black women in sport have faced unnecessary challenges as a result of attitudes towards their hair
With the 2024 Paris Olympics in full swing, viewers have been hooked to the highs and lows of the competition, but lurking beneath the surface in professional sports, Black women have always faced further challenges as a result of attitudes towards their hair.
With some athletes pushing back against the double standards, it is no longer something that can be overlooked.
Simone Biles is the most decorated gymnast in history, currently holding eight Olympic and 30 World Championship medals.
Simone Biles competing at the 2024 Paris Olympics. (Tom Weller/VOIGT/GettyImages)
Following her spellbinding performance at this year’s Olympics – that helped her team win gold – she was faced with cruel taunts aimed at the way her hair looked.
One public comment aimed at Biles’ hair on X reads: “Simone Biles = flawless. Her hair, not so much.”
‘Next time you wanna comment on a Black girl’s hair. JUST DON’T’
This led to Biles stating on Instagram: “Gonna hold your hand when I say this. Next time you wanna comment on a Black girl’s hair. JUST DON’T.”
The recent pushback from Biles follows her recent comments explaining that she refuses to ‘worry’ or feel ’embarrassed’ about her hair being deemed ‘not professional’, in an interview with Elle.
The treatment of Biles is the norm in the sporting world – with non-competitors believing they have the right to cast judgement or bestow further challenges on Black women due to their hair, while their white counterparts don’t face the same treatment, or face accusations of having ‘unprofessional’ hair.
Alongside this, needless barriers have been implemented throughout the years that have prevented Black women athletes from performing comfortably.
Gabby Douglas was just 16-years-old when she competed at the 2012 Olympics. (Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Afro hair swimming caps banned at Tokyo Olympics
Soul Caps, a Black-owned company, created swimming caps to protect afro hair that were banned from use in the Tokyo Olympics (which took place in 2021 rather than 2020 due to being postponed as a result of Covid).
The water sports governing body banned them due to them not fitting ‘the natural form of the head’.
After a huge amount of backlash from the general public alongside the Black Swimming Association (BSA), they were approved for use in 2022.
‘Unprofessional’ and ‘unkempt’ hair
American gymnast Gabby Douglas, who was just 16 years old when she made her Olympics debut in 2012 and won gold, was on the receiving end of insulting comments about her hair.
Social media jibes suggested her hair was ‘unprofessional’ and ’embarrassing’, while another implied Gabby didn’t belong on camera.
Her mother was forced to step in and defend her, saying: “I was looking at the pictures and I was like, ‘I’m missing it,’ because I don’t see what they’re talking about. I mean, she doesn’t have fly-aways all sticking out, it’s not like it’s all over her head. It’s pulled back into a ponytail.”
Venus Williams’ hair beads have gone down in history. (WILLIAM WEST/AFP via Getty Images)
Douglas herself weighed in at the time, commenting: “I just made history and people are focused on my hair? It can be bald or short; it doesn’t matter about [my] hair.”
The athlete has since embraced her natural hair, and explained that wearing her hair in a ponytail for gymnastics caused lasting damage which would leave her in tears – only to then receive an influx of criticism when she competed at the Olympics.
She wrote on Instagram in 2020: “I used to think: why can’t I have healthy hair? Despite yet another challenge, I kept going. Fast forward to the Olympics and my hair was the topic of conversation,” followed by a crying emoji.
Venus Williams’ infamous hair beads
Back in 1999, a tennis match during the Australian Open made headlines around the world – sparked by Williams’ hair.
The tennis star had become synonymous with her hair beads, which began to fall out during the match.
The umpire, Denis Overberg, penalised Williams a point during a crucial part of the game for causing a ‘disturbance.’
Williams ultimately lost the match, after pleading: “This has never happened to me before. There’s no disturbance. No one is being disturbed.
“As if I was doing this on purpose. Do you see me pulling hair, pulling them out? This is so out of control. This is out of control!”
Sha’Carri Richardson had debuted a range of powerful looks on the track. (Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)
‘Black women are reclaiming their crown’
100-meter sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson, who makes her Olympics debut on 2 August, has made headlines – and attracted similar criticism to the likes of Biles and Douglas from online trolls – for her array of wigs and styles on the track.
She stated to Vogue: “My lane is my catwalk. We glam up! We put it on! When we step forward we’re ready no matter what. Look good, feel good, do good.”
Director of the Center for Race and Ethnicity in Sport at the University of Michigan, Ketra Armstrong, told NBC: “For a while, Black women have had to make themselves presentable in a way that wasn’t perceived to be unkept or unprofessional.
“Black women were judged by their hair, called not professional or not qualified. We’re at a point now where Black women are reclaiming their crown.”
Many Black women athletes are tackling this by wearing their hair however they’d like to – whether that’s braided, beaded, worn naturally, or in a style of their choosing – and refusing to listen to critics.
Ultimately, it’s a choice both political and personal – pushed forward by the relentless scrutiny that has been bestowed upon Black women in sport for years.
Biles’ pushback as well as Richardson’s clear celebration of the versatility of her hair should be embraced – and will hopefully spark a huge shift in attitudes that is already long overdue.
Featured Image Credit: Jamie Squire/LOIC VENANCE/AFP via Getty Images
Kya Buller
Fans praise Simone Biles’ blunt response after trolls have uncalled for comments about her hair
Despite Simone Biles being the most decorated gymnast in history, it seems some trolls won’t stop commenting on her hair
Fans of Simone Biles have leapt to her defence following harsh criticism about the way her hair has looked during her performances at this year’s Olympics.
Biles currently holds eight Olympic and 30 World Championship medals and is the most decorated gymnast in history – yet she still can’t escape cruel trolls who seemingly have nothing better to do.
The 27-year-old athlete is part of the groundbreaking American team which took home the coveted gold medal at the artistic gymnastics team final in Paris.
When it comes to a gymnasts hair, the important thing is that it’s worn in a way that keeps it out of the performer’s face so that they can focus.
So when Biles performed with her hair in a ponytail – she had done everything right.
Simone Biles is the most decorated gymnast in history. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
But following her elite performance, social media was littered with jibes.
One person said it seemed as though Biles had ‘just rolled out of bed’, and another called her hairstyle ‘sloppy’.
Biles took to Instagram Stories to address the criticism.
She wrote: “Don’t come for me about my hair.
“IT WAS DONE but bus has no AC and it’s like 9,000 degrees. Oh and a 45-minute ride.”
The next image Biles shared showed her fanning her face due to the intense heat.
Biles wrote: “Gonna hold your hand when I say this.
“Next time you wanna comment on a Black girl’s hair. JUST DON’T.”
Biles took to Instagram to address the critics. (Instagram/@simonebiles)
Following Tyla’s previous coverage of the trolling, readers have rushed to her defence after learning of the cruel remarks.
One person wrote on Facebook: “The only thing I noticed about this young lady is how AMAZING she is!!”
Another said: “Leave her alone. She’s well respected and respectful. She’s a great representative of the US.”
A third added: “Did the morons that commented on her hair SEE HER PERFORMANCE???? She was just amazing, why does everything have to be about appearance???”
Biles has previously spoken out about the expectations that are levelled towards Black gymnasts’ hair.
Biles has been open about letting go of the worry associated with how people will judge her hair. (Instagram/@simonebiles)
In an interview with Elle earlier this month, Biles showed her appreciation for social media bringing Black women together and teaching her more about hair and beauty.
She said: “We’ve [Black women] been able to take care of our hair better and take care of our beauty routines better, because it’s self-taught. It’s really special that we have access to those platforms.”
She concluded: “I used to worry about [my hair being considered] not professional. But I’m not embarrassed about it anymore.”
Featured Image Credit: Aytac Unal/Anadolu via Getty Images/Instagram/@simonebiles
Topics: Facebook, Hair, Instagram, Olympics, Social Media, Sport, World News, Simone Biles
Kya Buller
Simone Biles gets ‘blocked’ following brutal message to former team mate after gold medal win
Simone Biles posted a cryptic message aimed at comments made by her former teammate MyKala Skinner
Simone Biles has been blocked by her former Olympics teammate after the gold medalist took a savage swipe at the gymnast using her very own words.
Biles is now the most decorated gymnast in Olympics history after she won yet another gold medal in the 2024 Paris games in the women’s artistic team all-around event.
Celebrating the win with her team – which was made up of gymnasts Jordan Chiles, Suni Lee, Jade Carey, and Hezly Rivera – she posted an Instagram snap of the women celebrating with an American flag.
Yet another Gold for Team USA! (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
But it’s what she captioned the post has caused quite the stir.
She simply captioned the picture: “Lack of talent, lazy, Olympic champions.” Which, quite frankly, is genius.
It comes after Olympic silver medallist MyKayla Skinner questioned the talent and worth ethic of the USA Gymnastics’ Olympic team after not being picked earlier this year.
In a now-deleted video, Skinner said: “…besides Simone, I feel like the talent and the depth just isn’t like what it used to be.”
“The girls just don’t have the work ethic,” she added.
MyKayla Skinner and Simone Biles were teammates in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. (LOIC VENANCE/AFP via Getty Images)
She was quick to retract her claims, however, and swiftly put out an apology defending the sport, in which she said: “I want to formally apologise to Team USA and to our gymnastic community for my comments during my recent YouTube episodes of the gymnastics Olympic trials.
“It was not my intention to offend or disrespect any of the athletes or to take away from their hard work.”
But it seems as though the apology didn’t feel very sincere to Biles, who has clearly backed her teammates talent and work ethic all the way.
Biles’ husband and Chicago Bears NFL star, Jonathan Owens, was also in support of the girls, and commented: “F AROUND AND FIND OUT.”
But it seems as though Skinner has really taken the joke to heart, after she blocked Biles following the post.
Simone Biles’ teammate taking a photo of Biles’ phone showing her seemingly blocked by Skinner on Instagram. (Instagram/@jordanchiles)
Posting a photo of Biles phone on Skinners account, teammate Jordan Chiles wrote: “When she blocks Simone.”
And Instagram isn’t the only platform she has ridded Biles of.
On X (formerly Twitter), Biles posted: “Oops I’ve been blocked” with side eye and laughing emojis.
But the relationship breakdown is a sad reality for the pair, after they competed together at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games when Skinner won silver for Team USA on the vault.
Team USA’s current medal count – 30
‘Embarrassed’ Simone Biles almost forgets major Olympic protocol moments before gymnastics final
Simone Biles looked sheepish at the camera when she forgot her placement at the Olympics
Simone Biles made a little mistake at the Paris Olympics this year and not a lot of people understand what it was that made her look so sheepish.
Biles, 27, has been going from strength to strength this week as she competes for gold for the US gymnastics team.
The athlete recently succeeded in moving to the final, with her teammate Suni Lee, after Jordan Chiles lost out by .067 points and divided opinion with her reaction.
According to Josina Anderson, a reporter for the NFL, who wrote on X: “Suni Lee deserved a better embrace from Jordan Chiles after edging Chiles for All-Around individuals.
“I understand it’s a tough pill to swallow after putting on dynamic performances herself. I also understand that sometimes all of us need more time to process before putting on a face and acknowledging present circumstances.
“Still the camera is on, and she has to maintain her usual grace and well-known charisma wherever her results land in the standings.”
However, the show must go on.
Simone Biles forgot a major protocol. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Before the final, Biles, Lee and their crew walked into the hall in a single file line as they waved to the crowd.
But Biles made a mistake when she forgot the Olympics protocol which made for a funny reaction.
As they made their way out to the Bercy Arena, Team USA strolled out in front of their national flag before their names were individually read out by commentators.
Biles led USA into the hall, but seemingly forgot about her protocol and instead tried to take a seat on the side of the arena.
It was only when she was just out of shot of the camera when one of her teammates shouted for her to come back.
That’s when Biles looked ’embarrassed’ as she realised she’d made a mistake and hurried back to the line-up.
According to Matt Baker, a BBC commentator, she was supposed to salute the crowd.
He said: “She hasn’t been in the competition arena for a while and forgets to salute the crowd.
“Simone, there’s a lot of people here to see you!”
Her talent speaks for itself. (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Craig Heap, who is a Commonwealth Games gold-winning gymnast added his two cents to the mix and said: “I think she’s just keen to get on with the competition!
“That proves how much she wants it. This USA team is absolutely remarkable, and the title is theirs to throw away in my opinion.”
Remarkable is just one way to put it as online commenters gushed about the team and Biles in particular during the Olympics.
One person wrote on X, formerly Twitter: “Simone Biles is not a generational talent. She’s so good that they had to create a new difficulty level to score her. She has multiple moves named after her. She’s not a generational talent. She’s the best to have ever existed. And we’re all blessed to be able to witness it.”
Former US President, Barack Obama even weighed in: “Congrats to the U.S. Women’s Gymnastics team for winning gold and to the GOAT @Simone_Biles for becoming the most decorated American gymnast in history!”
So, mistake or not, she’s got a great fan base to support her.
Featured Image Credit: Catherine Steenkeste/Getty Images/BBC
Topics: News, Olympics, Sport, Twitter, Simone Biles