19-year-old Biles entered the Rio Olympics already a gymnastics legend: four-time national all-around champion, three-time reigning world all-around champion, most decorated US female gymnast ever with 14 total world championship medals, and first African-American gymnast to win the world all-around title.
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In her Olympic debut, Biles won team and individual gold medals in the women’s all-around, vault and floor exercise, also adding a fifth medal – bronze – on balance beam.
Team USA will have the greatest gymnast in the world serve as its flag bearer Sunday for the closing ceremony. The first was Alfred Jochim, who carried the flag during the 1936 Opening Ceremony.
The United States Olympic Committee confirmed the news Saturday afternoon, a decision that came after a vote by her fellow Team USA teammates.
The 2016 Olympics in Rio has been an eventful one for all of us, but probably the most for Simone Biles.
The United States began the Olympics with swimmer Michael Phelps as its flag bearer. Winning four golds at one Olympics has been accomplished by only three other women. The 19-year-old gold medalist has seen a lot of firsts.
At least that’s what some soon-to-be parents might be thinking as Google searches for “Simone baby name” surged since Team USA athletes swimmer Simone Manuel and gymnast Simone Biles headed to Rio de Janeiro.
She’s living her best life..
I’m carrying the flag for closing ceremony!
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Biles calls the selection “an incredible honor”.
