In a recent incident that sparked considerable discussion, gymnastics commentator Jake Thompson was called out for his dismissive remarks regarding Olympic champion Simone Biles and her adoptive family. This week, the 19-year-old gymnast took the opportunity to address the situation, and her response was both concise and powerful.
Biles is currently basking in the glow of her success, having already secured two gold medals at the Rio Olympics, with the potential for more to come. However, the week wasn’t without its challenges, as she had to confront Thompson’s misguided comments. During a broadcast, Thompson stated that Biles “was raised by her grandparents and refers to them as mom and dad.”
Incorrect, Jake.
Thompson later attempted to clarify his statement on Twitter but only compounded the issue with a now-deleted tweet asserting, “They may be mom and dad but they are NOT her parents.” A misstep of this magnitude didn’t go unnoticed, and many, including Biles’ coach and numerous adoptive parents, expressed their outrage.
However, it was Biles’ own words that truly resonated. In an interview with US Weekly, she simply stated, “My parents are my parents and that’s it.” “My parents are my parents and that’s it.” This straightforward declaration not only clarified her feelings but also reflected her strength and confidence, much like her impressive gymnastics routines.
For those unfamiliar, Biles was adopted by her maternal grandparents, Ron and Lisa Biles, when she and her sister were placed in foster care 15 years ago. They are the only parents she has known, and that’s all that matters. Following the backlash, Thompson issued an apology, stating, “I regret that I wasn’t more clear in my wording on the air. I compounded the error on Twitter, which I quickly corrected. To set the record straight, Ron and Lisa are Simone’s parents.”
As Biles continues to focus on her athletic performance and aims for more gold medals, we can only hope that Thompson has learned a valuable lesson about respect and clarity in his commentary.
If you’re interested in more about family dynamics, check out our post on adoption and family structures.
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In summary, Simone Biles’ succinct response to Thompson’s comments underscores the importance of recognizing and honoring the bonds of family, regardless of how they are formed.
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