Olympic gold medallist Simone Biles has shared details of a recent serious health scare, stating that she was hospitalised and believed she came close to death. The 29-year-old American gymnast, widely considered one of the greatest of all time, described the experience as one of the most frightening moments of her life.
Biles, known for her record-breaking achievements in gymnastics, including seven Olympic medals and 25 World Championship medals, took to social media to briefly address the incident. She indicated that she is now resting and recovering, but offered few specific details about the nature of the medical emergency, citing a desire for privacy.
Her statement, which included the striking phrase "Almost dying wasn’t on my bingo card," has drawn significant concern from fans and fellow athletes globally. Biles explained that she usually keeps such personal matters private but felt compelled to acknowledge the severity of what she had endured.
The health scare follows a period where Biles has been increasingly open about her mental and physical well-being. She famously withdrew from several events at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics (held in 2021) to prioritise her mental health, a decision that sparked a global conversation about athlete welfare and pressure.
While Biles has not specified when she will provide further information, her candidness about this recent ordeal underscores her continued commitment to transparency regarding personal challenges, even as she navigates her private life in the public eye. Her recovery is now the primary focus for her and her supporters.