Simone Biles has been named Best Female Athlete at the 2025 ESPYs, but her win has sparked debate among fans and critics. Here’s everything you need to know about the reactions and rumors.
Olympic champion gymnast Simone Biles has once again earned recognition for her exceptional career, but her latest win has sparked both celebration and controversy. On Wednesday, July 16, 2025, Biles was awarded Best Female Athlete at the 2025 ESPYs, a title she proudly accepted with her husband, Jonathan Owens, by her side.
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Biles, a stunning 11-time Olympic medalist, took the award in a highly competitive category. In her acceptance speech, she shared her surprise at winning against some of the biggest names in sports, including Stephen Curry, Freddie Freeman, and Rory McIlroy. “That was very unexpected, especially in a category of all men,” she said with a smile after sharing a kiss with Owens.
Not only did Biles secure the Best Female Athlete award, but she also claimed the night’s first award, Best Championship Performance, for her impressive showing at the Paris Games. There, she earned three gold medals and one silver, while helping Team USA capture its first team title since 2016.
The win was met with praise from many fans, who lauded Biles as a true icon of strength and resilience. One fan commented, “Biles is a true American icon. Congrats to such a powerful woman. She’s an inspiration and the very best of American exceptionalism.” Another supporter declared, “Simone Biles is without a doubt the best athlete in the world. Anyone who thinks otherwise is a racist coward.”
However, the decision was not universally celebrated. Some critics felt that other athletes, like Sydney McLaughlin, deserved the honor. “Should’ve been Sydney McLaughlin [sic],” one user posted. Another fan shared similar sentiments: “Obviously should have been Syd [sic].”
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There were also other notable names that fans believed should have taken the award, such as Caitlyn Clark. One commenter expressed frustration, stating, “Absolutely rigged that was Rory’s award lol [sic].”
On the other hand, many fans celebrated Biles’ legacy and expressed their belief that she truly deserved the accolade. “Best female gymnast of all time!! Well deserved!!! Every single year that this award is put out, she should be nominated,” one enthusiastic fan posted.
Biles’ personal life also continues to attract attention. On July 7, 2025, she posted a set of vacation photos on Instagram from her getaway to Belize with her husband. The images, featuring Biles in a brown and black bikini, sparked a frenzy of comments speculating about whether she had undergone cosmetic surgery, particularly a breast augmentation.
The speculation was fueled by Biles’ visibly fuller bust compared to earlier photos from 2025. Despite her disabling the comments section on her original post, rumors began circulating on Instagram, with some fans expressing concerns about how such changes might affect her gymnastics career.
Many fans seemed confident that she had undergone the procedure, with one commenting, “No speculation, the new girls look fabulous! 👏👏.” Others speculated that the change in her appearance was a sign of her retirement from gymnastics. “I’m guessing she officially retired!,” one user wrote. Another joked, “She ain’t never gonna flip the same.”
Biles has yet to comment on the rumors regarding her body or her potential retirement from gymnastics. While the speculation continues to swirl, the gymnast’s achievements at the 2025 ESPYs are a clear testament to her enduring legacy as one of the greatest athletes of all time.
