Simone Biles reveals near-death hospitalisation: 'Almost dying wasn't on my bingo card'
Simone Biles shared on Instagram that she was hospitalised this week after a medical emergency she described as 'one of the scariest experiences' of her life. The seven-time Olympic champion is resting and has not yet disclosed the cause.
Emergency hospitalisation
The gymnast took to Instagram Stories on Saturday, posting a photo of her wrist wrapped in several hospital bracelets and a screenshot of a heart‑rate monitor. She wrote that she is not someone who typically shares personal matters because she values privacy, but that 'almost dying wasn't on my bingo card earlier this week.'
This was one of, if not the scariest experience of my life.
She called the episode 'a terrifying experience' (EL MUNDO) and said it was made more difficult by the absence of her husband, NFL player Jonathan Owens, who was away at a training camp with the Indianapolis Colts when the emergency occurred.
What we know
Biles did not offer any diagnosis or specifics. BBC Sport reported that she later replied to a fan on X clarifying that it was a 'health' issue. The agency has contacted her representatives and USA Gymnastics but has received no further details.
One image shared by Biles showed a heart‑rate reading of 126 beats per minute, which Observador noted is considered tachycardia by health authorities. She wrote simply 'I’ll be here' alongside that image.
'I’ve been in bed resting this week,' Biles said. 'I’ll explain sooner or later.'
Support and recovery
The gymnast thanked the small group of people who reached out, visited, and sent flowers during the week.
A special thank‑you to my close circle who contacted me, checked in, came to visit, and/or sent flowers. I love you all so much.
The posts triggered concern among fans, but Biles appeared to be in good spirits, sharing another photo of herself in bed with her two dogs and the caption 'I’ll be here.'
A history of health challenges
The 29‑year‑old has previously spoken about the physical toll of elite sport. In an interview with L’Équipe last year, she described collapsing after returning to the Olympic village during the 2024 Games.
I went back to the village, I took the elevator and my body literally collapsed. I was sick for 10 days.
Biles also famously withdrew from several events at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics due to 'the twisties,' a phenomenon that disrupts a gymnast’s spatial awareness, and has since been an outspoken advocate for mental health in sport.
