Will Simone Biles become a post Olympic media darling?

[missing]

Assuming she wins all around and any number of other Olympic events, that is.

My concern is that she's not conventionally pretty and doesn't have a great name (then again I worried about Nastia's name and she's done fine).

I'd be delighted to be wrong, so by all means pile on me and give me lots of reasons why Simone, who has the potential, I gather, to be the gymnast of her era, will get the magazine covers and endorsements, etc. that ordinarily accrue to the top American woman.

 

[barbk]

She's cute and has an infectious smile and personality.

Mary Lou Retton wasn't conventionally pretty, and she seemed to do fine.

 

[Cachoo]

It is hard to say. If you would have told me that Olga Korbut would have been more popular than Nellie Kim before those Olympics I would not have agreed with you. Simone's huge plus is that megawatt smile and a great personality that accompanies it.

 

[Spun Silver]

Assuming she's healthy and wins the AA, I'm sure she will be the darling of the Olympics for the USA. Who could resist her, between the power, the medals, and the charm? She has it all, even more than Gabby IMO.

 

[DimaToe]

If you would have told me back in 2011 that Aly Raisman would be one of the more famous gymnasts heading into 2016 I would have said that you're on drugs.

Biles is winning gold most of the time, is convincingly winning, always looks happy and never has a bad thing to say, oh and did I mention she wins a lot, for the USA audience that's what it's about with athletes, if she continues her dominant form In Rio don't see why she wouldn't be big in the US.

 

[caseyedwards]

She is going to have minimum 4 golds! She is going to be huge! Maybe the minimum is 5. She could win all 6.

 

[Karpenko]

She is going to have minimum 4 golds! She is going to be huge! Maybe the minimum is 5. She could win all 6.

They will add a 7th event for her to win! Usain Bolt will give her his golds during his last medal ceremony! Maybe Michael Phelps will be there. Maybe at minimum Ryan Lochte. That will be huge, standing next to Kerri Walsh Simone isn't though. They could rename the Olympics Simone.



This thread is like a new kind of hype - she's already done it and wiped the floor with them, now how will the people react to her?

Everyone on the planet will love Simone Biles to bits once they see the rest of the slop we're dealt with, and if they end up completely disliking her for any reason, then I don't think they're a good person.

 

[danafan]

It is hard to say. If you would have told me that Olga Korbut would have been more popular than Nellie Kim before those Olympics I would not have agreed with you.

Before which Olympics? The Olympics both Korbut and Kim competed in was 1976. Or did you mean to say Tourischeva? Worlds were every four years back then, so a lot less chance for exposure. I doubt there's a gymnast with Korbut's charisma secretly training who is going to show up and steal the show in Rio...

 

[semillon27]

She is going to have minimum 4 golds! She is going to be huge! Maybe the minimum is 5. She could win all 6.

I agree, but please let us not say things like this, because Maroney.

Everyone on the planet will love Simone Biles to bits once they see the rest of the slop we're dealt with, and if they end up completely disliking her for any reason, then I don't think they're a good person.

THIS. What could people not like about her? She has dominated the quad but remained humble, and it isn't a fake kind of humble either. Her competitors seem to genuinely like her (like Larissa). She has a compelling backstory. She's always smiling and positive. There isn't anything not to like.

As has been said in another thread, I wish we could put her in a bubble until Olympic prelims. She has nothing left to prove - even this past weekend, she proved she could have a long layoff from competition and still completely dominate.

 

[GarrAargHrumph]

I think she's adorable. Maybe she's not a fashion model, but she's quite cute, so I don't think that her appearance is in any way an issue. To me, she looks very all-American - girl next door, attractive but not too much so (whatever that means), healthy, etc. She also comes across well when she speaks. I think the media will adore her.

As for her name, I think she'll be recognized as "Simone" in the same way that Nastia is "Nastia" and etc. No last name needed.

I'm just hoping she remains healthy until after the Olys. Please please please please.

 

[AYS]

I'm only a step or so over your typical once every 4 years gymnastics fan (although I've actually watched quite a few of the NCAA meets this year because my husband often puts the Big10, SEC, etc channels on), but I click on and watch all of Simone's routines that get posted on social media after a meet, because she's so exciting to watch. Hence, I've seen her Pacific Rim performances and nothing else from that. I also agree that she's simply likable when you watch her demeanor as a competitor. If she performs in Rio the way she's capable, she'll be a big mainstream star.

 

[Icedancer]

Before which Olympics? The Olympics both Korbut and Kim competed in was 1976. Or did you mean to say Tourischeva? Worlds were every four years back then, so a lot less chance for exposure. I doubt there's a gymnast with Korbut's charisma secretly training who is going to show up and steal the show in Rio...

Korbut competed in 1972 and 1976.
Kim competed in 1976 and 1980.

Probably meant to say Nadia Comaneci who was largely unheralded outside the gymnastic world.

 

[Cachoo]

Before which Olympics? The Olympics both Korbut and Kim competed in was 1976. Or did you mean to say Tourischeva? Worlds were every four years back then, so a lot less chance for exposure. I doubt there's a gymnast with Korbut's charisma secretly training who is going to show up and steal the show in Rio...

You've lost me a bit but it is Monday and I am tired. Missing mentioned a concern about being pretty. I think that can certainly matter but back in 1976 I found Nellie pretty and Olga cute. Olga became the star. I'm not sure it matters or what suddenly vaults one athlete over another in popularity. I think if you look at beauty as the only standard it is hard to see past Aliya Mustafina. Now I am interested to see who emerges as the star.

 

[Rob]

If you would have told me back in 2011 that Aly Raisman would be one of the more famous gymnasts heading into 2016 I would have said that you're on drugs.

Ditto, I thought she would be crucified for form in 2012. Never in a million years did I think 2 gold, 1 bronze, and tie for 3rd in AA. And a beam medal, never!

 

[Erin]

You've lost me a bit but it is Monday and I am tired. Missing mentioned a concern about being pretty. I think that can certainly matter but back in 1976 I found Nellie pretty and Olga cute. Olga became the star. I'm not sure it matters or what suddenly vaults one athlete over another in popularity. I think if you look at beauty as the only standard it is hard to see past Aliya Mustafina. Now I am interested to see who emerges as the star.

I think the point was that Olga was the star of the Games in 1972 (which Nelli did not attend), whereas by 1976 it was all about Nadia and Olga was relegated to the background. There was not really an Olympics where Olga was a big deal and Nelli Kim was not, so the comparison doesn't make sense. Also, since Olga had already emerged as a huge star in 1972, I don't think anyone would have been surprised if she had been a big star again in 1976.

In 1972, the year that Olga became a star, Tourischeva was the favorite (and ultimate gold medalist), which is probably why @danafan suggested that might have been who you were thinking of her and not Nelli Kim.

 

[Cachoo]

I think the point was that Olga was the star of the Games in 1972 (which Nelli did not attend), whereas by 1976 it was all about Nadia and Olga was relegated to the background. There was not really an Olympics where Olga was a big deal and Nelli Kim was not, so the comparison doesn't make sense. Also, since Olga had already emerged as a huge star in 1972, I don't think anyone would have been surprised if she had been a big star again in 1976.

In 1972, the year that Olga became a star, Tourischeva was the favorite (and ultimate gold medalist), which is probably why @danafan suggested that might have been who you were thinking of her and not Nelli Kim.

I'll have to review...I might have used the wrong year or even the wrong person. Perhaps I confused Olga with Nadia?

And now I do see I should have said Nadia instead of Olga. Sorry for all of the confusion...

 

[Cachoo]

I think I finally have my past Olympics sorted. Simone is exciting and everything is big with her--her smile, power, amplitude, positive attitude and determination. I think if you like wonderful athleticism you look to Simone. But I do wonder if there will be stars from other countries and that is why I mentioned Aliya Mustafina. She is already popular, beautiful and might been seen as an artistic underdog? I don't know.

 

[viennese]

She's already a star, in the eyes of my every-four-years gymnastics fan friends, who keep posting clips of Simone's floor routines and vaults and general awesomeness. ("Have you seen this girl?" etc)

For advertisers, Simone's got a rare combination of beautiful face (those eyes, that smile), athleticism (can you imagine her endorsing any non-healthy product?) and positive, charming personality.

 

[Tesla]

positive, charming personality.

I think this is Simone's biggest selling point. Most gymnasts just look miserable but Simone just looks so happy. She had such an infectious smile.

 

[Spun Silver]

Winning is a pretty big selling point too. Also her style -- they can easily get fabulous clips of her bouncing around the mat looking like a million dollars and making it look easy. There is absolutely nothing not to love about her!

 

[Cachoo]

Yes...

 

[caseyedwards]

She didn't win dancing with the stars. There's a problem

 

[ilovepaydays]

She didn't win dancing with the stars. There's a problem

I wonder how much better she would have done if she had done DWTS right after Rio instead of Laurie.

 

[Jot the Dot Dot]

She didn't win dancing with the stars. There's a problem

I think most people will think along the lines of "Ah well, you gave it your best. And you're still just out of your teens, there'll be other challenges."

 

[bardtoob]

I think Simone will be remembered much longer for "Smiling doesn't win you gold medals" than winning a Mirror Ball Trophy, and it will be on the right side of history ... America can learn a lot from this in the era of Kadashian bull crap.

At the same time, this does not draw away from what Laurie accomplished in terms of making an overall good impression on the country.

 

[tylersf]

I think this remark hurt her a little bit for DWTS, because it was too serious. However, if I were her PR group, I would spin that quote into an athletic endorsement for sportswear, shoes, protein bars or an energy drink. Make a lemon drop or a lemon meringue pie out of lemons baby.

I think Simone will be remembered much longer for "Smiling doesn't win you gold medals" than winning a Mirror Ball Trophy, and it will be on the right side of history.