Talk about dedication! It takes strength and perseverance to have a career like Olympic gymnast Simone Biles — and she definitely has the abs to show for it. The Texas native is known for flaunting her sculpted body in leotards, bikinis and workout gear.
The five-time all-around world champion is also known for speaking out against societal beauty standards, which are just as big of a problem in competitive sports as they are in the fashion and entertainment industries. The athlete started her gymnastics career when she was just 6 years old — so it’s clear she has been staying strong in the face of conventional pressures for many years. She even called it a “daily challenge” for herself and so many others in February 2020.
“In gymnastics, as in many other professions, there is a growing competition that has nothing to do with performance itself. I’m talking about beauty,” the four-time Olympic gold medalist explained via Instagram. “I don’t know why but others feel as though they can define your own beauty based on their standards.”
The Ohio-born star admitted that, a long time ago, she had “learned to put on a strong front and let most of it slide.” However, she added that she would “be lying if I told you that what people say about my arms, my legs, my body … of how I look like in a dress, leotard, bathing suit, or even in casual pants hasn’t gotten me down at times.”
“I’m tired of everything in life being turned into a competition, so I’m standing up for myself and for everyone else that has gone through the same,” the SK-II spokeswoman concluded. “Today, I say I am done competing versus beauty standards and the toxic culture of trolling when others feel as though their expectations are not met because nobody should tell you or I what beauty should or should not look like.”
The same month she spoke out, SK-II inked a partnership deal with her focused on shifting away from conventional beauty norms.
Scroll through the gallery below to see photos of Simone’s best abs moments that show off her chiseled stomach!