Simone Biles, the most decorated gymnast in history, is recovering from a serious health scare that she says nearly cost her her life. On Saturday, the 28-time World medalist shared photos on her Instagram Stories showing a hospital wristband on her arm, telling her 11 million followers she had been on bedrest for most of the week after one of the most frightening experiences she has ever faced. The nature of the medical emergency has not been disclosed.
What Did Simone Biles Say About Her Health Scare?
Biles was uncharacteristically candid about the ordeal, acknowledging that she values her privacy but felt this was worth sharing. "I'm not one to normally share things like this because I value privacy in today's age," she wrote. "But almost dying wasn't on my bingo card earlier this week."
Challenges During Recovery
What made the situation harder, she noted, was that her husband Jonathan Owens was away in Indianapolis. Owens, who signed a one-year contract with the Indianapolis Colts in March 2024, was at practices when the incident occurred. Biles and Owens married in April 2023, and she had been open about her excitement at relocating to Indiana for the upcoming NFL season.
Biles stopped short of explaining exactly what happened medically. She indicated she would share more details in time, writing, "I'll explain sooner or later." In the meantime, she thanked the people in her inner circle who checked in on her, visited, and sent flowers during her recovery.
She also posted photos of flower arrangements sent by friends, and a separate image of herself lying in bed with her two dogs, accompanied by a screenshot of her resting heart rate.
Context and Future Plans
The timing is notable in another context. Just weeks before this incident, Biles was performing flips on her outdoor trampoline with fellow gymnast Zoe Miller, and sharing glimpses of her Texas home on social media. She had also mentioned that any potential return to competitive gymnastics ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics was roughly a coin flip.
Whether this health scare affects those plans remains to be seen, but it is an unwanted variable in an already uncertain equation. For now, Biles is focused on recovering, and those closer to her seem to be rallying around her in force.
About the Author
Prantik Prabal Roy is a passionate sports writer who eats, breathes, and lives the game. Since 2020, he has been in the content writing industry after completion of his Master's degree in English literature and covering the NFL since 2024 with sharp insights, while also diving into the NHL and MLB with equal enthusiasm. He loves crafting content that drives traffic without sacrificing quality. He blends storytelling with analysis to keep readers hooked. When he is not writing, Prantik can be found cheering on the Buffalo Bills or diving into books that celebrate the world of sports.
