Simone Biles received a special compliment from former first lady Michelle Obama, who named the American gymnast among the four women on her personal Mount Rushmore of athletes. Biles did not hide her excitement, sharing a heartfelt response on Instagram after Obama praised her achievements and the demands of gymnastics. “Mrs. Michelle Obama, you made my year,” Biles wrote. The recognition came during Obama’s appearance on the Is She Game? podcast on October 20, 2026, where she discussed her favorite female athletes and explained why Biles belongs among the greatest in sports.
Simone Biles responds to Michelle Obama’s praise
Simone Biles’ response was short, but it showed how much Obama’s words meant to her. The 11-time Olympic medalist took to her Instagram Story to thank the former first lady for including her among the athletes she admires most.Being praised for winning medals is one thing. Receiving recognition from someone who has spent years supporting women’s sports and celebrating athletes carries a different kind of meaning. Obama did not simply mention Biles as a champion. She spoke about the physical demands, preparation and mental strength required to compete in gymnastics.Her words clearly struck a chord with Biles, who has built a career on performances that push the limits of the sport. The gymnast’s response also gave fans a glimpse of the person behind the medals: even an athlete with her record can be moved by recognition from someone she respects.
Michelle Obama explains why Biles belongs among the greats
During the podcast appearance, Obama spoke about her admiration for gymnastics and the level of athletic ability it requires. She praised Biles’ range of skills, saying, “She can do it all.”Obama also pointed to the training and conditioning that often go unnoticed when people watch gymnasts compete. She questioned whether the sport receives enough credit for the physical demands placed on its athletes, particularly when they perform difficult skills under pressure.Biles’ ability to generate height during her floor routine caught Obama’s attention, too. She wondered whether the gymnast could rise around 13 feet into the air. Biles is 4 feet, 8 inches tall and can reach roughly 12 feet off the ground during her floor exercise, according to the report.Obama also recognised the risks gymnasts take to perform at the highest level. “To know what they were going through and still performing at that risk level, and conquering it.”She summed up her view with another clear endorsement: “I think that a Simone Biles has to be a G.O.A.T. I say that for all gymnasts.”
Serena Williams , Billie Jean King and Lisa Leslie complete the list
Biles was one of four women Obama selected for her hypothetical Mount Rushmore of athletes. Her choices also included tennis greats Serena Williams and Billie Jean King, along with basketball legend Lisa Leslie.The selection brought together athletes from different sports and generations. Williams’ achievements in tennis made her an obvious figure to recognise, while King earned praise not only for her sporting success but also for her character. Obama described King as a “beautiful human being.”Leslie filled the basketball spot. Obama called her a “groundbreaking woman of my era,” recognising her place in the growth of women’s basketball.The list was not presented as an official ranking. Instead, it reflected the athletes Obama believes have made lasting contributions to women’s sports through their ability, influence and example. For Biles, the distinction came with a personal message that needed only seven words to make its impact: “Mrs. Michelle Obama, you made my year.”