Home/Gymnastics
0
  Debate

Debate

Is Olympia Ohanian the next big thing in gymnastics, following in Simone Biles' legendary footsteps?

Simone Biles lit up the stage in a glittery golden leotard, captivating everyone with her talent and infectious energy in Missouri. After securing three gold medals at the Paris Olympics, she’s now reveling in the excitement of the Gold Over America Tour, presented by Athleta. This vibrant tour has made its way to 30 cities across the U.S., including a stop at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis at the end of the month. Recently, on October 15, the tour touched down in St. Charles, Missouri, where a very special fan cheered her on—Olympia Ohanian, the delightful seven-year-old daughter of tennis legend Serena Williams and tech entrepreneur Alexis Ohanian!

Well, Olympia, like the rest of us, is head over heels for Biles. The Ohanian family came to cheer 11x Olympic medalist Simone Biles, but truth be told, it was Olympia who was chomping at the bit to meet her Olympic hero. It seems the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree! When a fan spotted a picture of Olympia Ohanian with Simone Biles, they excitedly asked Alexis, “She’s so big! Is she doing gymnastics too?” Alexis quickly responded, “She is.” But how did this all come about?

It all started back in 2019—yes, you heard that right! At just 2 years old, Olympia Ohanian was already making waves as she walked across a high balance beam, supported by her mom, Serena Williams, and her gymnastics coach. The little toddler was laser-focused!

Serena, at that time, shared an adorable photo of Olympia taking those first steps, captioning it, “Can’t wait for @olympiaohanian to get tips from @simonebiles.” Simone, then 22, quickly spotted the post and replied, “Oh my goodness, I’ll give her a lesson any day!” Fast forward a few years, and look where we are now! Olympia, who once needed a helping hand to walk, is now attempting Yurchenko!

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

And she again had a meet with Biles, but this time it was face-to-face.

On Sunday, Oct. 15, Alexis Ohanian gave everyone a peek into a magical moment by sharing a carousel of photos on Instagram. There, Olympia got the chance to meet Olympic superstar Simone Biles at the Gold Over America Tour! Dressed in her adorable pink pants and matching sweater, Olympia beamed with joy as she stood next to Biles, who sported a T-shirt featuring her own face. You could practically see the stars in Olympia’s eyes—she was absolutely over the moon!

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

In his caption, Ohanian said they simply had to take Olympia to see Biles’ tour. The house was packed, and it was an unforgettable night! He gave a big shoutout to Simone and fellow gymnast Jordan Chiles for absolutely making Olympia’s month. He even added a fun note about his pancake-making skills, saying, “Sorry, babygirl, photorealism is hard!” as he attempted to whip up a pancake that looked like Olympia in her new leotard. And to top it all off, Biles shared a group photo on her Instagram Story, clearly thrilled to catch up with Serena while on tour! Meanwhile, Williams has consistently been there to support Biles through the years.

What’s your perspective on:

Is Olympia Ohanian the next big thing in gymnastics, following in Simone Biles' legendary footsteps?

Have an interesting take?

The next generation of gymnasts following in Simone Biles’ footsteps

In September 2021, Simone Biles made the difficult decision to withdraw from the Tokyo Olympics due to mental health challenges. That same year, Biles earned a spot on the prestigious Time 100 list, recognizing her not only for her outstanding athletic achievements but also for her advocacy on mental health. With a total of 41 Olympic and World Championship medals, Simone shows the potential of black women. Williams reflected, “I wish I had her to look up to when I was younger and trying to realize my dreams.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Williams also highlighted Biles’ impactful work beyond gymnastics, stating, “Simone’s greatest work, however, is what’s being done outside of the gym.” By sharing her personal journey of self-love and championing mental health, Biles sets new standards of beauty, breaking down stereotypes. Fast forward to May this year, and we witnessed Olympia doing something truly unbelievable.

Olympia was inspired to imitate a routine by Simone Biles after watching a video of Biles showcasing her new floor routine in US Classics, which includes a triple-double first pass. Ohanian retweeted the clip, saying, “It’s so good to see her back,” and added that after watching it, Olympia couldn’t help but start tumbling over the sofa, exclaiming, “Love to see it.” While her mom boasts four Olympic gold medals in tennis, there’s something uniquely empowering about watching Biles in action.  It’s clear that as Olympia grows, she is beginning to appreciate the achievements of both her mother and role models like Simone Biles.

Have something to say?

Let the world know your perspective.