The network ran a profile of Biles on Sunday that noted she and younger sister Adria were adopted because their birth mother struggled with drugs and alcohol.
Advertisement
Simone said her mom, Nellie has been giving her encouraging pep talks for years. It was six years before she was able to meet Biles, her daughter, again. She was also the first African-American to be an all-around champion as well as the first female to win three consecutive world titles. She even retweeted an article from USA Today about her own Twitter account that praised her sweet messages of encouragement to Simone (all signed “Mom”). A few months later, she was arrested again for the same crime, and sentenced to 180 days in jail.
Biles was adopted by her maternal grandparents – Ron and Nellie Biles – as a toddler. “As a the mother of two children my husband (their father) husband and I are parents to, I am disgusted with you”.
In an interview that aired on NBC, Simone’s biological grandfather – Ron – criticizes Shannon for her “many problems”.
NBC gymnastics announcer Al Trautwig referred to the Olympic gymnast’s adoptive parents, Ron and Nellie, as her grandparents.
Nellie recalls how a cancelled school field trip led Simone to Bannon’s Gymnastix in Houston, Texas. I was struggling back then.
The Independent Journal reports Biles was born in OH to drug-addicted parents, and her father quickly abandoned the family.
Shanon is sober now and hopes that one day she and Simone will become close.
Ron said he hopes that the attention from the brouhaha will have a positive affect on American society and encouraged prospective parents to consider adopting or fostering a child. “There is always a stigma attached to foster care or kids who come through the system and a positive role model like this can raise understanding and awareness greatly”.
“Before a big event, I usually go to church and light a candle for St Sebastian, who is the patron saint of athletes”, she said on the Olympics website. Go ask the sons and daughters who love you, who call out your name when they are scared or excited or lost or hopeful or sick or joyful.
Advertisement
The United States generally reigns supreme in women’s gymnastics at the Olympics, and last night didn’t disappoint.
