After going through what she called the “scariest” experience of her life, Olympic legend Simone Biles just wanted a vacation – and wasn’t going to let online critics ruin it for her.
Biles, 29, hit the beaches of Belize over the past week with husband Jonathan Owens, an NFL player with the Indianapolis Colts.
The couple shared several galleries of photos from their tropical getaway — but not all of their followers were thrilled about it.
“Almost died but look at these travelling selfies,” one user wrote on Biles’ Instagram post shared on Tuesday, adding several crying-laughing emojis.
“Ugh these comments make me sad,” Biles responded. “A little over two weeks ago, I experienced a serious medical emergency that could have ended very differently, and this trip has been part of allowing myself to heal & appreciate being here.”
She added that she hopes her followers can “understand that life-changing experiences can shift your perspective and that you’re able to extend a little more grace to others moving forward.”
What happened to Simone Biles?
It’s easy to see why the timing of the trip is curious to many, coming just over a week after Biles had shared that she suffered a medical emergency and was “almost dying.”
The seven-time Olympic gold medallist posted a photo on her Instagram Story of herself wearing hospital wristbands and described it as “one of, if not the scariest experience of my life.”
“Almost dying wasn’t on my bingo card earlier this week,” she added.
While in her message Biles promised to explain what had occurred that led to her hospital trip, she has yet to elaborate on the experience.
“I’ve been in bed, resting this week,” she added. “I’ll explain sooner or later but s/o to my close circle who reached out, checked in, visited & or sent flowers,” she wrote at the time.
She doesn’t appear ready to talk about it just yet, either. After one fan asked about the medical event in a comment on her vacation post, Biles replied, “Not ready to talk about it just yet,” adding a wounded heart emoji.
What makes Biles so great?
Biles is considered an Olympic legend, having won 11 medals across three Summer Games, including seven gold medals.
She also has won 30 World Championship medals, which makes her the most-decorated gymnast in history.
The 4-foot-8 athlete possesses never-before-seen power and agility, to the point where she has pioneered five different manoeuvres that now bear her name.
She married Owens in 2023, tying the knot during a destination wedding in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
Owens, 30, is entering his eighth NFL season and first with the Colts. The safety played the past two seasons for the Chicago Bears after previously having suited up for the Houston Texans and Green Bay Packers.