Calls Mount Against Time Magazine as Simone Biles Fans Heavily Triggered Over Caitlin Clark Announcement

Simone Biles—just her name alone screams gymnastics royalty! With a jaw-dropping 11 Olympic medals and 30 World Championship titles, her career isn’t just impressive—it’s a straight-up mic drop. Back in 2021, TIME named her Athlete of the Year, and she earned every bit of that title, even after stepping away from most of the Tokyo Olympics to prioritize her mental health. The world watched in awe as she chose self-care over stacking medals, gracefully battling the infamous ‘twisties.’ Fast forward three years, and Simone returned as if she never left–dominating the Paris Olympics event, clinching three golds and a silver and reminding everyone that she is the rightful owner of the crown.

So, when TIME’s Athlete of the Year announcement rolled around, everyone thought it was Simone Biles’ moment to shine again. But plot twist alert! On December 10, TIME dropped a bombshell on X, revealing none other than Indiana Fever’s rookie phenom Caitlin Clark as the star of the year. Talk about flipping the script! And as expected, the internet had opinions.

One user, Neale—backed by a solid 6k followers—jumped right in with a post on X that got people talking. Sharing TIME’s announcement, he bluntly captioned, “Clark doubled the single-season WNBA turnover record. True fans understand how important it is for a PG not to turn the ball over. She had a stellar rookie yr, but “Athlete of the Year” accolades are insane—especially considering a historic season from A’ja Wilson; it’s exhausting.” Ouch, right?

The same user didn’t hold back, throwing some shade and sparking debates, saying, “Putting Caitlin Clark in the same stratosphere as 3 GOATs of their respective sports is disrespectful to Serena, Simone, & Katie & downright insane. Williams: 23 Grand Slams, Biles: 25 World Championship/11 Olympic Medals, Ledecky: 15 Worlds/9 Olympic (golds), Clark: never won anything” And honestly? They kind of had a point. With comparisons like that, it’s no surprise that TIME Magazine’s pick for Athlete of the Year stirred up a storm of hot takes and fiery debates.

Now, let’s talk A’ja Wilson, who’s no stranger to dropping jaws. Playing for the Las Vegas Aces, she delivered an unforgettable performance earlier this year when the Aces faced the Indiana Fever. A’ja clocked 15 points and a whopping 17 rebounds, helping the Aces edge out the Fever 78-74—raining on Caitlin Clark’s record-breaking parade. For her part, Clark still managed to dazzle, scoring all 18 of her points in the second half, grabbing eight rebounds, and dishing out nine assists.

But here’s where things got spicy. Neale’s post didn’t just spark a Caitlin-versus-A’ja debate; fans flooded the comments to champion a different name entirely—Simone Biles! The Biles fandom wasn’t about to stay quiet, diving into the thread to express their frustration. For them, the G.O.A.T. gymnast, who lit up the Paris Olympics with her incredible comeback and medal haul, was the obvious choice for Athlete of the Year.

Simone Biles’ fandom brings in the storm!

Simone Biles and Caitlin Clark share mutual admiration, but when it came to TIME’s Athlete of the Year, fans weren’t having it when Biles was overlooked. One user voiced the frustration, writing, “Agree 100%! It’s insane that Simone Biles did not receive this honor in an Olympic year. She won a total of four medals in Paris, three gold and one silver.” And honestly, when you think about it, Biles’ journey has been nothing short of incredible. At the last Olympics in 2021, she withdrew from several events due to injury and mental health struggles, with many unfairly labeling her as a ‘quitter.’ However, this year, she returned triumphantly, proving doubters wrong. Simone Biles once again solidified her legacy with gold in team, all-around, vault, and a silver in floor.

Another user, Robert Littal, chimed in with, “She is the most influential female athlete since Serena Williams. TIME isn’t about ball, it is about Influence, and she is one of the most influential athletes in the world. Her teammates described it like traveling with the Beatles.” As the debate between Simone Biles and Caitlin Clark continued, he brought a fresh perspective by comparing Serena Williams to Clark.

Serena has left an undeniable mark on athletics worldwide, having won 23 major singles titles—more than any other woman or man during the open era. Off the court, she’s made waves influencing the community, especially women and mothers. From sharing her journey through childbirth hardships to overcoming postpartum depression, Serena’s story adds a powerful layer to her influence. It was a unique comparison that added depth to the conversation.

Another user commented, “She’s ONE of. Undeniably incredibly talented and hardworking. But basketball isn’t the only sport. Several athletes in sports have cultural and financial impact, including Simone Biles, for example. Go beyond the boring absolute statements. Get nuanced. And get accurate.” Simone Biles, for instance, has five signature moves named after her across three different events—floor, vault, and balance beam. Beyond her achievements in gymnastics, she actively supports children in foster care, sharing her own experience of being put up for adoption during her childhood. Whether she’s competing or advocating off the court, Simone’s influence is undeniable.

But wait, there’s more! One user commented, “Simone Biles won the award 3 years ago. Taurasi is not influential in 2024 and you’re lying to yourself if you seriously think otherwise.” Diana Taurasi, the legendary WNBA player for the Phoenix Mercury, has had an undeniably successful career. She played a pivotal role in leading the Mercury to three Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) championships in 2007, 2009, and 2014. The 6-foot guard was also named the league’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) in 2009, cementing her status as one of the greats. But this year? Not so much.

While Caitlin Clark has played 40 games this year, her field goal percentage sits at 41.7%, leading many fans to question her influence compared to Simone Biles. One user chimed in, “Simone Biles says hello.” It’s a tough call, but with Biles securing 4 Olympic medals this year alone, including 3 golds and 1 silver, it’s clear she left a significant mark. What do you think? Should it be Simone or Caitlin? Let us know in the comments!