Introduction
This essay examines the career of Simone Biles, an American gymnast widely regarded as one of the greatest in the sport’s history, through a feminist lens, specifically drawing on intersectional and postcolonial feminist theories. Biles, a Black woman from a working-class background, has faced numerous social, political, and ideological obstacles in her participation in gymnastics, a sport historically dominated by white, middle-class narratives. The analysis will explore how race, ethnicity, class, and gender shape her experiences, the role of media portrayals in reinforcing or challenging stereotypes, and the broader social norms reflected in these representations. Additionally, the essay will consider Biles’ position relative to other athletes, address whether medical gender verification has been a concern, and evaluate the obstacles she has confronted. By employing a feminist framework, this discussion aims to highlight the intersecting oppressions Biles navigates and her role in challenging systemic barriers in sport.
Intersectionality and Simone Biles’ Identity
Simone Biles, born in 1997 in Columbus, Ohio, embodies multiple intersecting identities that influence her participation in gymnastics. Intersectionality, a concept central to feminist theory, underscores how race, gender, and class overlap to create unique experiences of oppression and privilege (Crenshaw, 1989). As a Black woman from a working-class background—having spent part of her childhood in foster care before being adopted by her grandparents—Biles challenges the traditional image of gymnasts as predominantly white and middle-class. Her success, including winning 11 Olympic medals as of 2024, disrupts historical narratives in gymnastics, where Black athletes have often been underrepresented. This intersection of race and class positions Biles as an outlier in a sport that has long privileged whiteness and economic advantage, requiring her to navigate systemic biases that her white counterparts may not encounter (Douglas, 2012).
Moreover, Biles’ gender compounds these challenges. Gymnastics, while female-dominated in participation, remains steeped in gendered expectations of grace, femininity, and submissiveness—traits historically coded as white and middle-class. Biles’ powerful, muscular physique and assertive demeanor defy these norms, often leading to scrutiny that her white peers, such as Aly Raisman, escape. Intersectional feminism highlights how Biles’ deviations from these norms are racialized, as Black women in sport are frequently critiqued for not adhering to Eurocentric ideals of femininity (Adjepong and Carrington, 2014). Thus, her mere presence in gymnastics is a form of resistance against systemic exclusion.
Media Portrayals: Stereotypes or Empowerment?
The media plays a significant role in shaping public perceptions of Biles, often oscillating between empowerment and perpetuation of stereotypes. On one hand, outlets have celebrated her as a trailblazer, with coverage frequently emphasizing her record-breaking achievements and resilience. For instance, her decision to withdraw from several events at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics to prioritize mental health was framed by some as a bold, empowering stance against the sport’s grueling expectations (Tannenbaum, 2021). Such portrayals align with feminist ideals of agency and self-care, challenging the notion that athletes must sacrifice personal well-being for success.
However, media representations also reflect lingering stereotypes, particularly around race and gender. Biles is often described in terms of raw athleticism or “power,” language that echoes historical tropes of Black athletes as naturally gifted rather than skilled through discipline—a stereotype rooted in colonial discourses of Black physicality (Adjepong and Carrington, 2014). This contrasts with depictions of white gymnasts, who are more likely to be praised for technical precision or artistry. Postcolonial feminism critiques such portrayals as reinforcing racial hierarchies, positioning Biles as an “other” despite her dominance. Furthermore, media narratives during the Tokyo Olympics occasionally questioned her “toughness,” reflecting gendered and racialized expectations that Black women must endure hardship without complaint (Tannenbaum, 2021). Arguably, these representations voice social norms of the contemporary era, where progress toward equity coexists with entrenched biases.
Biles in Relation to Other Athletes
Comparing Biles to her peers reveals disparities in how privilege operates within gymnastics. White athletes like Gabby Douglas, Biles’ predecessor as an Olympic all-around champion, also faced racial barriers, yet Biles’ darker skin tone and non-conforming femininity have arguably intensified scrutiny—a phenomenon explained by colorism within postcolonial feminist discourse (Douglas, 2012). Meanwhile, athletes from wealthier backgrounds often have greater access to elite training facilities from a young age, a privilege Biles lacked. Her ascent in the sport required overcoming socioeconomic barriers that many of her competitors did not face, underscoring how class intersects with race to shape opportunities.
Relative to male gymnasts, Biles also contends with gendered disparities. While male athletes in gymnastics are celebrated for strength, Biles’ similar attributes are sometimes critiqued as “unfeminine.” This double standard reflects broader patriarchal norms in sport, where women are held to stricter aesthetic expectations. Intersectional feminism critiques these disparities as evidence of how gender, compounded by race and class, creates unique challenges for athletes like Biles (Crenshaw, 1989).
Medical Gender Verification and Ideological Obstacles
Unlike some athletes in other sports, there is no widely documented evidence that Simone Biles has been required to “prove” her gender through medical verification. Gender testing, often rooted in transphobic and racist ideologies, has historically targeted women of color perceived as deviating from Eurocentric femininity—such as South African runner Caster Semenya (Karkazis and Jordan-Young, 2018). While Biles has not faced such scrutiny, the absence of this obstacle does not diminish the ideological barriers she encounters. For instance, gymnastics’ culture often prioritizes a narrow definition of femininity, implicitly questioning athletes who do not conform, as Biles’ muscularity and outspokenness occasionally do.
Social and political obstacles also loom large. Biles has publicly addressed systemic issues, including her experience as a survivor of sexual abuse by former USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar. Her advocacy for accountability within the sport challenges patriarchal structures that silence victims, aligning with feminist calls for justice (Tannenbaum, 2021). Additionally, as a Black woman, she faces the burden of representing racial progress in a predominantly white sport, a pressure heightened by political discourses around race in the United States. These obstacles illustrate how intersecting oppressions shape her ability to compete and thrive.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Simone Biles’ career in gymnastics exemplifies the complex interplay of race, gender, and class, as analyzed through an intersectional and postcolonial feminist lens. Her identity as a Black, working-class woman positions her as a disruptor in a sport historically dominated by white, middle-class norms, while media portrayals both celebrate her achievements and reinforce racialized and gendered stereotypes. Compared to more privileged athletes, Biles navigates unique socioeconomic and cultural barriers, though she has not faced medical gender verification challenges. Social and political obstacles, including systemic abuse and racial expectations, further complicate her participation. Ultimately, Biles’ story is one of resilience, challenging oppressive structures in sport and broader society. Her influence extends beyond gymnastics, offering implications for how intersectional feminism can inform efforts to create a more equitable sporting world. This analysis underscores the need for continued critique of how identity shapes athletic experiences, paving the way for deeper systemic change.
References
- Adjepong, L. A. and Carrington, B. (2014) Black female athletes: Negotiating race, gender, and sexuality in sport. Sociology of Sport Journal, 31(3), pp. 282-299.
- Crenshaw, K. (1989) Demarginalizing the intersection of race and sex: A Black feminist critique of antidiscrimination doctrine, feminist theory and antiracist politics. University of Chicago Legal Forum, 1989(1), pp. 139-167.
- Douglas, D. D. (2012) Black/out: The whitewashing of Black women in sport. In: Andrews, D. L. and Silk, M. L. (eds.) Sport and Neoliberalism: Politics, Consumption, and Culture. Temple University Press, pp. 99-112.
- Karkazis, K. and Jordan-Young, R. M. (2018) The treatment of Caster Semenya shows athletics’ bias against women of colour. BMJ, 363, k4484.
- Tannenbaum, E. (2021) Simone Biles’ withdrawal reminds us that she’s human—and still very much a GOAT. Glamour. Available at: https://www.glamour.com/story/simone-biles-withdrawal-reminds-us-that-shes-human-and-still-very-much-a-goat.
