Simone Biles Celebrated by World Leaders for Historic Olympic Wins in Rio
Simone Biles' spotlight appears to be getting even brighter with a range of political figures and entertainers proclaiming how much of an inspiration she as the first American gymnast to receive four gold medals.
After the 19-year-old Team USA gymnast racked up four gold medals and a bronze at the Olympic games in Rio De Janeiro, people like Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton took to social media to honor her.
"Today, @Simone_Biles landed a spot in history as the first woman from @USAGym to win 4 golds," Clinton wrote. "Well done, Simone!"
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Clinton's message comes days after Michelle Obama's message to Biles on Twitter. The first lady took to social media to offer Biles some kind words after the Olympic gymnast posted an image of herself and fellow gold medal winning swimmer Simone Manuel.
"You've made us proud," the first lady tweeted to the Olympian.
According to The New York Times, the gymnast also has support from the first lady of Belize, Kim Simplis Barrow. Biles' mother, Nellie Biles, is a native of the Central American country.
"She has inspired us all," Simplis Barrow said in an interview with the Times. "No matter where you come from, you can succeed. It is all right there in that small package."
Biles, who's a member of the USA gold winning gymnastic team known as the "Final Five," calls Belize her second home. But she has also received recognition from her home state of Ohio in a message from Gov. John Kasich, a former Republican presidential candidate.
"Congratulations to the #FinalFive! Did you know @gabrielledoug and @Simone_Biles both have ties to Ohio? #gold," he wrote on social media last week.
Biles, a Catholic who attends church with her family regularly, is living her dream now that she is the most decorated American Olympic gymnast in history.
"It's something you dream of for so long, and then it finally happens, and then it hits you, and you have a rush of emotions that you can't even control, and you're just like, 'Wow,'" Biles said.
