(Photo: Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for InStyle)
Amanda Gorman honored Simone Biles with a poem as she presented her with the Original Award at the 2021 InStyle Awards.
In Gorman’s poem titled “The Greatest,” she notes Simone is “most well known for being the most accomplished gymnast of our time” but that “it is time we see Simone as far more than 32 medals,” according to Yahoo Life.
“She is a champion because she never settles for less than the rebel she is,” said Gorman.
The poem also seemingly referenced Bile’s decision to withdraw from the Tokyo Olympics in July, when she pulled out of the competition to focus on her mental health.
“Simone has shown that power is listening to a voice that is your own, that greatness lies not in if we’ve won but if we’ve grown, and that if one woman speaks her truth, she is never alone,” said the poet.
Biles thanked Gorman as she accepted the award, calling Gorman, “inspiring,” joking “you made that look so easy, so if you want to give my acceptance speech, you can just read my paper.”
“When I think about being an original, I think it’s about staying true to yourself in all aspects of your life, whether it’s your work life, your personal life, or your style,” said Biles. “It’s embracing the idea that you do you.”