Simone Biles Fires Back at Critics Over Belize Trip Following Health Emergency

A vacation in Belize has become the latest talking point surrounding Olympic gymnast Simone Biles, who this week responded to critics questioning why she was travelling so soon after revealing she had survived a serious medical emergency.

The backlash came after Biles posted photos from her trip to Belize. This prompted some social media users to mock her recovery. One commenter wrote, “Almost died, but look at these travelling selfies….” Biles did not ignore the remark. “Ugh, these comments make me sad,” she replied. “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 went on to say that life-changing experiences can alter a person’s outlook and urged people to show “a little more grace”.

The gymnast first disclosed the health scare earlier this month when she shared a photo showing hospital wristbands and wrote, “Almost dying wasn’t on my bingo card earlier this week.” She later described it as “one of, if not the scariest, experiences of my life.”

Biles has not revealed what caused the medical emergency and has said she is not yet ready to discuss the details publicly.

The 29-year-old arrived in Belize with her husband, NFL player Jonathan Owens, on June 14. Belize has long held personal significance for Biles. Her mother, Nellie Biles, was born and raised in the country, and Biles has previously spoken about spending time here as a child and holding Belizean citizenship through her family.