There is absolutely no question that Simone Biles is one of the most important athletes in American history and her name is written in gold alongside Michael Phelps. This two will be linked forever as two of the top gold medal winners in the Olympic Games.
Interestingly enough, Biles has taken what she saw in Phelps as inspiration because of his peak performance during the Beijing Olympics and after 2008 with him reaching the 23 golden-medal mark. Simone looks to carry the torch in gymnastics.
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And it will be carried with a great significance as she has also been named one of the most influential sports personalities in the world by Sports Illustrated taking now a position that has been occupied by in 16 years.
Matching Michael Phelps
Simone Biles’ work ethic has put her in this very spot, as this is the first time that an American Olympian has been considered to be in first place of this prestigious list since Michael Phelps did it more than 15 years ago.
She took her time after Rio and then started to work harder to accomplish her achieving double digit medals in the past Olympic Games and the list from Sports Illustrated proves that she is one of a kind.
Biles won back-to-back four Olympic medals and all this has to be compared to what Phelps did throughout his incredible career. Now Simone will look to continue the legacy of the Olympian winner as she is one of her own.