Simone Biles Shines at 2025 ESPY Awards with Two Major Wins

At the 33rd annual ESPY Awards on July 16, 2025, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, gymnast Simone Biles was honored with two prestigious awards: Best Female Athlete and Best Championship Performance. These accolades recognize her exceptional achievements at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she secured three gold medals and one silver, leading the U.S. women's gymnastics team to their first team title since 2016.

Biles' performance in Paris marked a significant comeback after her withdrawal from several events during the 2021 Tokyo Games due to mental health concerns. In Paris, she led the U.S. team, dubbed the "Golden Girls," to a gold medal in the team competition. Individually, Biles won gold in the all-around and vault events and secured a silver medal on floor exercise.

The Best Championship Performance award was particularly noteworthy, as Biles was the only female nominee in a category that included Stephen Curry, Freddie Freeman, and Rory McIlroy. Upon receiving the award, Biles expressed her surprise, stating, "That was very unexpected, especially in a category of all men."

The ESPY Awards also recognized other athletes for their remarkable achievements:

• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: The Oklahoma City Thunder's NBA Finals MVP was named Best Male Athlete.
• Suni Lee: Biles' Olympic teammate received the Best Comeback Athlete award for overcoming two rare kidney diseases to return to elite competition.
• Oscar Robertson: The basketball legend was honored with the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage, recognizing his pivotal role in NBA labor reform.
• Diana Taurasi and Alex Morgan: Both athletes received the Icon Award for their significant contributions to women's sports.
• David Walters and Erin Regan: Former athletes turned firefighters were honored with the Pat Tillman Award for Service, acknowledging their dedication to public service.
• Katie Schumacher-Cawley: The Penn State volleyball coach, who led her team to a national title while battling cancer, received the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance.

Beyond her athletic achievements, Biles has been a trailblazer in advocating for mental health awareness among athletes. Her decision to prioritize her well-being during the Tokyo Olympics sparked a global conversation about the pressures faced by elite athletes and the importance of mental health. Her openness has led to increased support and resources for athletes dealing with similar challenges.

The 2025 ESPY Awards not only celebrated athletic excellence but also highlighted stories of perseverance, advocacy, and the evolving landscape of sports culture.