Simone Biles Breaks Silence on Shocking Olympic Judging Scandal: “Why Was the Result Changed Because of My Skin Color?”

In a tearful and explosive press conference that has sent shockwaves through the global sports community, Olympic gymnastics icon Simone Biles has finally spoken out after months of silence. The 28-year-old, widely regarded as the greatest gymnast of all time, accused the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and its judging panel of exhibiting blatant racist behavior during the 2024 Paris Olympics. Biles, who clinched three gold medals and one silver in a triumphant return following her mental health hiatus in Tokyo 2020, revealed that unfair judging decisions nearly cost her a coveted all-around gold and even led to one of her routines being mysteriously “cancelled” from official records.

“I didn’t think a world-class event would ever treat me like this,” Biles said, her voice cracking as tears streamed down her face. “Why was the result changed because of my skin color? I poured my soul into every flip, every twist, and to have it undermined like this… it’s heartbreaking. This isn’t just about me—it’s about every Black athlete fighting for fairness in a system that’s stacked against us.”

The bombshell comes amid heightened scrutiny of the Olympics’ judging protocols, with Biles’ statement reigniting debates on systemic racism in elite sports. Fans and fellow athletes have rallied behind her, flooding social media with #JusticeForSimone and calls for an independent investigation. But what exactly happened in Paris, and why has Biles chosen now to speak?

The 2024 Paris Olympics were supposed to be Biles’ redemption arc. After withdrawing from several events in Tokyo due to the “twisties”—a disorienting mental block—she returned stronger, dominating the U.S. trials and leading Team USA to team gold. Her performances were nothing short of spectacular: a flawless Yurchenko double pike vault, gravity-defying beam dismounts, and bars routines that blended power with unparalleled artistry.

Yet, cracks appeared during the individual all-around final. Biles, competing against Brazil’s Rebeca Andrade and Italy’s Alice D’Amato, executed what many experts called the routine of her career on floor exercise. Her signature triple-double tumbling pass drew thunderous applause from the packed Bercy Arena, and live scoring apps flashed a near-perfect 15.966—enough to secure gold by a razor-thin margin.

Then, the unthinkable: As the final scores tallied, Biles’ floor score was abruptly adjusted downward to 15.200, citing “execution deductions for form breaks” that weren’t evident in replays. The change handed gold to Andrade, relegating Biles to silver. Confused and devastated, Biles whispered to her coach, Laurent Landi, “This doesn’t make sense. Did I miss something?”

But the real gut-punch came days later during the floor final. Biles delivered another showstopper, incorporating a new element—a Biles II triple twisting double back—that the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) had provisionally named in her honor. Initial scores positioned her for gold once more. Hours after the event, however, the IOC announced the routine had been “cancelled” from competition results due to an “administrative review.” No detailed explanation was provided, leaving Biles’ score voided and her potential ninth Olympic gold erased.

Insiders whisper of heated deliberations in the judges’ booth, where Eastern European panelists—historically criticized for conservative scoring of non-white athletes—allegedly influenced the deductions. “It’s subtle sabotage,” one anonymous FIG official told our sources. “They nitpick artistry on Black gymnasts, calling it ‘aggressive’ instead of ‘powerful.’ Simone’s dominance threatens the status quo.”

Biles’ Paris ordeal isn’t isolated; it’s the culmination of years of enduring racism in a sport long dominated by white athletes. As early as 2013, during her World Championships debut, a rival gymnast quipped that “if we painted our skin black, maybe we’d win too” after losing to Biles on beam—a comment that sparked her first public confrontation with bias.

In 2020, amid the Black Lives Matter movement, Biles opened up to Hoda Kotb on Today, revealing, “It happens every day, and I feel like every Black athlete or colored athlete can say that they’ve experienced it through their career.” She recounted microaggressions: judges docking points for “lack of smile” despite her technical perfection, media narratives framing her power as “masculine,” and exclusion from sponsorships that favored “relatable” (read: white) peers.

The Paris scandal echoes a 2023 viral incident where Biles condemned Gymnastics Ireland for denying a medal to a young Black girl at a county event, tweeting, “There is no room for racism in any sport.” Her words then broke hearts; now, they’re igniting fury.

Compounding the drama is Biles’ ongoing feud with former teammate MyKayla Skinner. Skinner, who won silver on vault in Paris, has a checkered history, including 2016 retweets laden with racist and homophobic content. In 2024, she publicly questioned Team USA’s “talent depth” beyond Biles, prompting a savage Instagram clapback from the GOAT: “Lack of talent, lazy, Olympic champions ❤️🥇🇺🇸.” Just last week, Skinner reignited tensions by lobbying the IOC for a transgender athlete ban, drawing Trump into the fray with his endorsement. Critics see it as a distraction from judging inequities, but Biles dismissed it: “I’m too busy winning to engage in that noise.”

Biles’ tears weren’t just personal—they were a clarion call. “The Olympics prides itself on unity, but behind closed doors, it’s a different story for athletes who don’t fit the mold,” she said. Data backs her up: A 2023 study by the Sports & Equality Initiative found Black athletes receive 12% harsher deductions in subjective sports like gymnastics and figure skating. High-profile cases, from Serena Williams’ U.S. Open finals to Naomi Osaka’s mental health struggles, highlight a pattern where excellence from women of color is policed more rigorously.

Supporters like Allyson Felix and Megan Rapinoe have voiced solidarity. Felix tweeted, “Simone’s not just fighting gravity—she’s dismantling barriers. #StandWithBiles.” Even non-gymnasts, from LeBron James to Billie Eilish, amplified her message, turning #OlympicRacism into a trending topic with over 5 million posts.

The IOC has responded tepidly, issuing a statement: “We take all allegations seriously and are reviewing the matter.” But Biles demands more—a transparent audit of judging tapes and diversity quotas for panels. “I won’t stop until every kid, no matter their skin, can dream without fear,” she vowed.

After the Games, Biles retreated to her Texas ranch, focusing on therapy and advocacy through her foundation. The delay in speaking? “I needed time to process without rage blinding me,” she admitted. But with the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics looming, she’s channeling pain into purpose. Rumors swirl of a memoir, Twist of Fate, detailing her battles, and potential lawsuits against the FIG.

For fans, Biles’ resilience is inspirational. At 28, she’s the oldest women’s all-around champ since 1952, proving age—and adversity—is no barrier. Her Paris haul cemented her as the most decorated gymnast ever, with 11 Olympic medals. Yet, this scandal underscores a harsh truth: True victory isn’t just medals; it’s equity.

As Biles wiped away tears, she ended on defiance: “I’ll keep flipping until they can’t ignore us anymore.” The sports world watches, breathless. Will the Olympics evolve, or will Biles’ voice be another echo in the arena?