Never forget, forever cherish - Biles reflects on Paris dream in Spirit of Sport
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The latest episode of the Laureus-presented show features an exclusive interview with iconic gymnast Simone Biles on picking up her fifth Laureus. We also hear from football manager Sean Dyche and Spanish tennis star Paula Badosa.
Even by Simone Biles’ own extraordinary standards, last year was special. The record-breaking 28-year-old has achieved almost everything in gymnastics, including 11 Olympic medals. Paris, however, was an opportunity to truly appreciate the Olympic experience, bond with her fellow teammates – and still add three more gold medals to her cabinet.
Those achievements also saw her pick up the 2025 Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year Award for the fourth time – equalling the tally of tennis icon, Serena Williams. They also both have one Comeback of the Year Award. “I absolutely love Serena,” Biles said, in an exclusive interview at this year’s Laureus World Sports Awards in Madrid. “To share a record with her is such an honour and a blessing.”
Those achievements also saw her pick up the 2025 Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year Award for the fourth time – equalling the tally of tennis icon, Serena Williams. They also both have one Comeback of the Year Award. “I absolutely love Serena,” Biles said, in an exclusive interview at this year’s Laureus World Sports Awards in Madrid. “To share a record with her is such an honour and a blessing.”
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In Paris, Biles claimed gold medals in the team, all-around and vault, alongside a silver medal in floor exercise. For Biles, connecting with her colleagues was as important as achieving gymnastic success. “I really took the time [in Paris] to cherish each and every moment, to take lots of photos and videos, and just have fun with the girls,” she said. “It’s something I’ll never forget, and I’ll forever cherish.”
Biles is a proud advocate of mental health, and during the Olympics she posted an image of herself sitting in the Lotus position with the caption ‘mental health matters’. She said: “I felt like it was important to tell everyone, even in those moments of absolute chaos, to just relax – mental health matters – and just to remind themselves of that. Even for us athletes, it’s not like mental health goes away for that week or two weeks when we’re at the Olympic Games.”
Spirit of Sport picks up the mental health and wellbeing theme in Hong Kong, China, visiting the inaugural Laureus Sport for Good Mental Health and Wellbeing Forum, presented by the Hong Kong Jockey Club.
The Forum, held in February this year, aims to tackle the ongoing youth mental health crisis worldwide, through sporting activities and educational opportunities. In an exclusive interview with Spirit of Sport, former Everton manager Sean Dyche shares his insights into how mental wellbeing has become a crucial aspect of sports coaching.
He said: “I think during my journey, from being a player to a coach and a manager, mental wellbeing has seen massive change. It starts with the individual: if you can affect the person, you can affect their performance. If there isn’t rapport, belief in each other, and trust, then that’s very difficult.”
Biles is a proud advocate of mental health, and during the Olympics she posted an image of herself sitting in the Lotus position with the caption ‘mental health matters’. She said: “I felt like it was important to tell everyone, even in those moments of absolute chaos, to just relax – mental health matters – and just to remind themselves of that. Even for us athletes, it’s not like mental health goes away for that week or two weeks when we’re at the Olympic Games.”
Spirit of Sport picks up the mental health and wellbeing theme in Hong Kong, China, visiting the inaugural Laureus Sport for Good Mental Health and Wellbeing Forum, presented by the Hong Kong Jockey Club.
The Forum, held in February this year, aims to tackle the ongoing youth mental health crisis worldwide, through sporting activities and educational opportunities. In an exclusive interview with Spirit of Sport, former Everton manager Sean Dyche shares his insights into how mental wellbeing has become a crucial aspect of sports coaching.
He said: “I think during my journey, from being a player to a coach and a manager, mental wellbeing has seen massive change. It starts with the individual: if you can affect the person, you can affect their performance. If there isn’t rapport, belief in each other, and trust, then that’s very difficult.”
Laureus Sport for Good celebrates its 25th Anniversary this year, and Spirit of Sport remembers the remarkable legacy of its founding patron, Nelson Mandela. Laureus Academy Members and Award winners come together to discuss what Sport for Good means to them, and how they have been influenced by Mandela’s story.
Laureus Academy Chairman, Sean Fitzpatrick, said: “Mandela’s message was iconic, especially given where he had come from, what he’d been through, his fight against apartheid and his years in jail. I was there when he came out in 1995 [at the Rugby World Cup], where he wore that Springboks jersey – the oppressor’s jersey – and literally united the country.”
Finally, Spanish tennis star Paula Badosa reflects on both her mental strength and an inspirational visit to Kings County Tennis League in Brooklyn, while we also feature Figure Skating Harlem, one of the Nominees for this year’s Sport for Good Award.
Find Spirit of Sport on TV, online and stay tuned to Laureus’ social and digital channels for more unique and compelling stories and insights from stellar names from the world of sport.
Laureus Academy Chairman, Sean Fitzpatrick, said: “Mandela’s message was iconic, especially given where he had come from, what he’d been through, his fight against apartheid and his years in jail. I was there when he came out in 1995 [at the Rugby World Cup], where he wore that Springboks jersey – the oppressor’s jersey – and literally united the country.”
Finally, Spanish tennis star Paula Badosa reflects on both her mental strength and an inspirational visit to Kings County Tennis League in Brooklyn, while we also feature Figure Skating Harlem, one of the Nominees for this year’s Sport for Good Award.
Find Spirit of Sport on TV, online and stay tuned to Laureus’ social and digital channels for more unique and compelling stories and insights from stellar names from the world of sport.
