“I wanted to quit like 500,000 times, and I would have if it weren’t for my people.” Simone Biles said it best in 2024, and her fans still feel it. After pulling out of the Tokyo Olympics due to a mental health crisis, a lot of people thought she was done. But nope—she came back, dominated, and took three gold medals at the Paris Olympics. And in this process, she put her mental health first at the peak of her career, something almost unheard of at the time, and still returned stronger than ever. And yet, after all that, the world’s sports media somehow acted like she didn’t deserve the Prestigious Global Honor. What? Yes!

Well, if sports had their version of the Oscars, it would be the 2025 Laureus World Sports Awards—and the nominees were just revealed! The winners will be announced in Madrid, Spain, on April 21, 2025. But hold up—when the shortlist for Laureus World Comeback of the Year dropped, Simone Biles was nowhere to be found. And yet, guess who made the cut? Her Brazilian rival, Rebeca Andrade—the same Andrade that Biles once admitted “scares me the most.” Turns out, she had a good reason to say that!

At the Paris Olympics, Andrade was on fire, winning gold in floor exercise, silver in all-around and vault, and bronze in the team event. And her journey was no joke—she tore her ACL three times (2015, 2017, and 2019) and still fought her way back to the top. So yes, she absolutely deserves the nomination. But alongside Andrade, the list also includes Caeleb Dressel (USA, Swimming), Lara Gut-Behrami (Switzerland, Alpine Skiing), Marc Marquez (Spain, Motorcycling), Rishabh Pant (India, Cricket), and Ariarne Titmus (Australia, Swimming).

But wait—does this mean Biles wasn’t nominated for any category at the 2025 Laureus Awards? Think again. Of course, the GOAT was nominated—but not for the comeback of the year.

Simone Biles looks to steal the show

The Laureus World Sports Awards and Simone Biles? Yeah, they go way back. In 2024, she took home the Laureus World Comeback of the Year Award after making an epic return to gymnastics following a two-year break for mental health reasons. And let’s not forget—she’s already a three-time Sportswoman of the Year winner (2017, 2019, 2020). So, adding another trophy to her collection? Just another day for the GOAT. And now, in 2025, she’s back in the mix, this time nominated for the Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year Award—one of the biggest honors in sports. But can she actually win?

Well, the Laureus Global Media Panel—a group of 1,300 sports journalists—cast their votes back in December, so the competition is already set. The competition field is extremely tough. The competition for Biles includes notable champions Aitana Bonmati (Football from Spain), Sifan Hassan (Athletics from the Netherlands), Faith Kipyegon (Athletics from Kenya), Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone (Athletics from the United States) and Aryna Sabalenka (Tennis from Belarus). 

With a lineup like that, it’s anyone’s game. The question remains whether Biles will win a second Laureus trophy. The competition awaits its final results.