As a kid, I worshiped the ground that Olympic athletes stood on. I considered them nothing less than mini gods in their own right, forcing their bodies beyond the impossible and working their entire young lives for only a short few years of professional, Olympic competition. I was still young when Simone Biles made her spotlight in the world of Olympic gymnastics, but she sure did catch my eye.

Summarizing from the Simone Biles website, Biles’ made her debut on the Olympic stage in 2016. Her awards take up a list long enough to fall to the floor at your feet, but just a few notable achievements include being the first African American to be an all-around world champion and the first woman to get three consecutive all-around titles. This places her as the most celebrated American female gymnast in history, having 10 gold medals and 14 medals in total.

Biles, like many others, also struggles with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. Unfortunately, this reveal was a messy one, the diagnosis being forced out of her by hackers accusing her of doping in the Olympic sport.
Doping is a term used to describe athletes taking drugs or medications to enhance their physical or mental performance on the floor. It is a very serious accusation and has and will ruin many people’s chances of participating in the Olympics.

According to ESPN, Biles quickly took a strong stand during the controversy, taking to Twitter to tell the world she is medicated for ADHD, which she has dealt with since a kid.

“Having ADHD, and taking medicine for it is nothing to be ashamed of, nothing that I’m afraid to let people know,” the Tweet read.

Many people feel ashamed for taking a drug to improve their mental health. ADHD doesn’t just affect a person’s professional or work performance, but also their daily and personal lives.

This was a surefire way to make others in Biles’ situation feel included and seen.

Ever since I first heard of Biles in 2016 I have been watching silently on the sidelines waiting for her to change history, and she is doing just that before our eyes. Biles is a person deserving of her fame and titles, and she is surely working harder for more. She holds the eyes of the world, representing many people, especially little girls with big dreams, who I once was as well. Maybe one day, America’s history will run clear with people like her paving the way for a new generation.