Having Struggled Financially Herself In Past, Simone Biles Supports Gymnast Denied Rightful Spot For Money At World Artistic Gymnastics Championships 2023

The gymnastics scene commenced on a good note for Simone Biles making her comeback this year. The seven-time Olympic medalist made a strong case in each of the three competitions to win the reigning all-around title. Clearly, Biles holds command over gymnastics but when it comes to finance, she lives by the ?tell me if I am broke or not? philosophy. She started working at an early age and made a down payment on a home at the age of 12. Albeit her net worth grew to seven figures over time, the core values remain the same.

Earlier this year, a fellow foreign Olympian was oddly left off of the World Championship team after which the legal battles left him in debt. Biles took a stand, making for the all-around gymnast throughout the setback. Days before the global event, Simone shared encouraging words upon learning about his presence at the venue.

Simone Biles acknowledges fellow Olympian

The Australian national gymnastics qualifier lineup for some reason left Heath Thorpe out of the senior men’s roster. He decided to go to court but suffered repeated denials, leaving him deeply in debt. The internet fueled up as he logged the entire account on his social media platforms. In the hefty amounts of support pouring, Simone Biles took note of the matter. Ahead of the World Gymnastics Championships, Thorpe shared a Twitter post giving a shout-out to Biles.

He wrote, ?Simone just called out my name in front of the media.? Biles said, ?I?m happy that you are here but you should be out here with us. We miss you,? blowing him a kiss. Since hitting a roadblock to perform on the mats, the Australian star required the reassurance more than ever. Interestingly, he will be covering the events instead, putting his degree in communications to work. ?my first journalist gig!? he announced earlier.

READ MORE ?I Am So Sorry?: Sports World Shattered by Unfair Treatment of Olympian Ahead of World Gymnastics Championship 2023

It was speculated that his non-inclusion was due to his candor regarding his sexual orientation. Taking a brave stand the self-described queer advocate told Olympics.com that ?visible allyship is as important as visible representation with the community.? He did not have much time to get to the Worlds due to the hasty preparation from the last-minute shock. Putting his 2024 Paris Olympics dream at a standstill, the gymnast is continuing his battle backed by Biles.

How Simone Biles supported Heath Thorpe

The 23-year-old gymnast frequently shares updates on his case with his Twitter followers (X). Earlier, he stated that he had appealed against his non-selection to the National Sports Tribunal despite a lack of funding. Taking further measures to continue his fight, he set up a GoFundMe fund, which continues to be supported by the community. Biles was among the first ones to retweet his appeal to her account to further his reach.

Thorpe’s fund shows a staggering $19,000 debt, which he’s collecting for a few weeks now. Having made a career shift, with support from the gymnastics community, do you think Thorpe will enter the Paris Olympics with Biles?

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