On April 24, 2025, Simone Biles, the most decorated gymnast in history, was honored with the prestigious TIME100 Impact Award at the TIME100 Gala in New York City. Held at Jazz at Lincoln Center, the event brought together leaders from various industries to celebrate those making significant global impacts.
A Tribute to Excellence and Resilience
Biles, who boasts 11 Olympic medals and 30 World Championship medals, received the award for her relentless pursuit of excellence and her dedication to inspiring others. Kristen Bell, who presented the award, joked about the size difference between herself and Biles, who stands at 4’8″. Bell, who is 5’1″, quipped, “I wanted to give her this award tonight because for once, I wanted to tower over someone while also feeling super weak.”
However, Bell’s heartfelt tribute went deeper, emphasizing how Biles continues to use her achievements to elevate others. “She doesn’t just rest on her laurels,” Bell said, “She continues to use her achievements and her example to lift others up.”
The Power of Fun and Authenticity
During her acceptance speech, Biles shared insights into her approach to training and competition. “I was expected to be robotic and compartmentalize my feelings in order to achieve what might otherwise be an overwhelming goal. But that just wasn’t me. I needed to smile, to laugh, to occasionally play practical jokes,” Biles explained. She credited this mindset with helping her succeed, highlighting the importance of maintaining joy in both training and competition.
Mental Health Advocacy and Comeback
Biles’ speech also touched on her historic comeback at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she won four medals, including three golds. This comeback followed her decision to withdraw from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics in order to focus on her mental health—a choice that was widely praised. Her recovery journey was captured in the Netflix series Simone Biles Rising, offering a closer look at her personal and athletic growth.
Aly Raisman, a fellow Olympic gymnast and three-time gold medalist, praised Biles in a tribute for the TIME100 list, describing her as both “deeply human and undeniably superhuman.” Raisman joked that during their time on the team, “my teammates and I used to joke that we were all competing for second place.”
Impact Beyond Medals
Despite her countless accomplishments, Biles emphasized that true impact doesn’t require Olympic medals. “You don’t need to stand on an Olympic stage in order to have an impact, and you certainly don’t need to win medals. You just need to show up and stay true to who you are,” she said.
Biles’ message resonated with the audience, reinforcing the notion that greatness is not defined by accolades but by staying authentic and making a difference in the lives of others.
TIME100 Gala and Upcoming Special
The TIME100 Gala serves as an annual celebration of the world’s most influential people, and the 2025 event was no exception, featuring an array of icons, change-makers, and celebrities. The gala will be featured in a special television event, TIME100: The World’s Most Influential People, airing on ABC on May 4, 2025, and streaming on Hulu. The special will feature a performance by Ed Sheeran, appearances by Serena Williams and Demi Moore, and a host of memorable moments.
Past TIME100 Impact Award recipients have included industry giants like Steven Spielberg and Michael J. Fox, and Biles now joins this prestigious group of individuals who have shaped our world for the better.
