Simone Biles, the 29-year-old U.S. gymnastics star with seven Olympic gold medals, recently asked fans to respect her privacy after expressing anxiety over their close proximity.
Privacy Concerns Shared on Social Media
Ahead of her trip to Madrid for the Laureus World Sports Awards, Biles posted on Instagram, “Okay I realllilly love how passionate and dedicated y’all are, BUT I have to be honest. It really makes me anxious when you stand outside of the hotel all day. Can we please please please love from afar & respect privacy xx.”
She added, “I would love to take pics while I’m out & about though,” alongside a photo of a cocktail at a restaurant.
Stunning Red Carpet Appearance
Biles arrived in Spain and shared behind-the-scenes glimpses of her preparations. She turned heads on the red carpet at Cibeles Palace, wearing a striking $11,000 gold taffeta one-shoulder minidress by Vietnamese designer Cong Tri. The gown featured feathered fringing and a dramatic train.
Role at the Laureus World Sports Awards
The Laureus World Sports Awards celebrate top athletes and teams annually. Biles, a four-time Laureus Sportswoman of the Year winner—most recently after her 2024 Paris Olympics success—attended this year as an ambassador.
She presented the Lifetime Achievement Award to Romanian gymnastics icon Nadia Comaneci, known for scoring the first perfect 10.0 in Olympic history at the 1976 Montreal Games.
Ambassador Announcement and Reflections
Laureus named Biles an ambassador in February. She stated, “Laureus has played a meaningful role in my journey for many years, and I am incredibly proud to have been honored four times as Laureus Sportswoman of the Year, including at last year’s Awards in Madrid, which was an unforgettable night for me.”
Biles continued, “I’ve seen that power in action—how sport can open doors, build confidence and help young people feel seen and supported. The opportunity to visit the girls in Milan was a reminder of why this work matters so much: their energy, their determination, their joy.”
