Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles has taken the top spot again as the Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year.
Via the AP:
Simone, who is the greatest gymnast of all time has 25 world championship medals, the most by any gymnast ever.
The stoicism and grace she has shown in becoming an advocate for survivors - herself included - and an agent for change in the wake of the Larry Nassar sexual abuse scandal that's shaken USA Gymnastics to its core? The byproduct of a conscious decision to embrace the immense clout she carries.
"I realize now with the platform I have it will be powerful if I speak up and speak for what I believe in," Biles told The Associated Press. "It's an honor to speak for those that are less fortunate. So if I can be a voice for them in a positive manner, then of course I'm going to do whatever I can."
And it's that mission - combined with her otherworldly skill and boundless charisma - that's enabled Biles to keep gymnastics in the spotlight, a rarity for a sport that typically retreats into the background once the Olympic flame goes out. She is the first gymnast to be named AP Female Athlete of the Year twice and the first to do it in a non-Olympic year.
Congratulations to Simone Biles!!!!!
