In the realm of athletic supremacy, Simone Biles has been the unchallenged queen bee, cartwheeling through competition and landing perfectly on the throne of greatness. But 2024 threw a curveball—or rather, a three-pointer—as basketball phenom Caitlin Clark swooped in with a Rookie of the Year title and a landslide win as the Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year.
It’s almost poetic: the most decorated gymnast in history, fresh off three Olympic golds, loses out to a rookie? And not just any rookie, but one who’s making history on hardwoods. Clark snatched 35 votes to Biles’ 25, leaving us all to wonder—does the AP have a thing for hoops over handsprings?
Biles’ Comeback: Golden and Gritty
Let’s not overlook the year Biles had. The woman redefined the word “comeback.” After battling the dreaded “twisties” during the 2021 Tokyo Olympics—a mental block that’s as terrifying as it sounds—Biles took time off for her mental health. Flash forward to Paris 2024, and she’s sticking gold-medal landings like she never missed a beat.
Vault? Gold. Team event? Gold. All-around? Yep, gold again. Oh, and she casually added a silver on the floor exercise, because apparently, even Simone Biles has to let someone else win sometimes. Not to mention, she cleaned house at the 2023 World Championships with four golds. Let’s face it, if gravity had feelings, it would hold a grudge against her.
Enter Caitlin Clark: The Rookie with Range
But while Biles was dazzling on the mat, Caitlin Clark was lighting it up on the court. The 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year didn’t just arrive—she exploded onto the scene. Her record-breaking three-point barrage left defenders scrambling and sportswriters searching for fresh adjectives. Clark’s rise isn’t just a blip on the radar; it’s a full-blown supernova.
Her AP win over Biles feels like the plot twist no one saw coming. Imagine Biles pulling off a flawless triple-twisting double layout and the judges saying, “Nice, but have you seen Caitlin’s range from deep?”
Biles Beyond Gymnastics: Enter the Restaurant Biz
When she’s not dominating the vault or redefining resilience, Biles is cooking up something new—literally. She’s set to open her first restaurant, Taste of Gold, in early 2025 at Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport. It’s a bold move, but then again, Biles doesn’t do subtle.
“I’m a foodie at heart,” she said in a press release. Translation? The same perfectionism that earned her 37 World and Olympic medals is coming to a plate near you. Expect dishes so good they’ll make you want to attempt a backflip—though maybe wait until you’ve digested.
The Bigger Picture
Sure, Clark’s meteoric rise has temporarily shifted the spotlight, but let’s not kid ourselves. Simone Biles isn’t just an athlete; she’s a movement, a brand, and a symbol of unrelenting excellence. The woman could win a staring contest with the Mona Lisa if she wanted.
So, while Caitlin Clark basks in her moment, Biles is busy doing what she’s always done: flipping, winning, and inspiring millions. And let’s face it, the next time the AP votes, don’t be surprised if she comes flying in—quite literally—to reclaim her crown.
For now, we’ll sit back, watch these two incredible athletes rewrite history, and debate which one deserves the title of “Queen of 2024.” Spoiler alert: it’s still Simone.
