Gymnast Simone Biles' Biological Mother Speaks Out About Her Past

Shannon Biles, the biological mother of Team USA’s Simone Biles, does not like being painted as an addict by the media.

In the video above, posted Tuesday on TMZ, she explains, “I feel like they’re defaming my character.”

Simone’s life story is no secret to the public. The Olympic gymnast and her younger sister were placed in foster care as children due to their biological mother’s struggle with addiction. They were eventually adopted by their maternal grandfather, Ron Biles, and his wife, Nellie. Simone has very proudly expressed that she has always embraced her grandparents as her mother and father.

Shannon says in the video that she has been sober since 2007 and does not appreciate the media’s coverage of her past, especially when her father, Ron, has gotten involved.

“I feel like he didn’t have to be so harsh about it,” she tells TMZ in response to her father’s public comments about her past experience with drug abuse. “He didn’t have to be so harsh about it. He could’ve been a little bit more classy with it. He didn’t have to put me under the bus.”

When it comes to Simone, however, Shannon says that she is incredibly proud of her biological daughter’s tremendous accomplishments. “I just want to say I love you, Simone,” she says in the video. “I’m so proud of you! Go Team USA and I’ll talk to you and see you when I can!”

For more Olympics coverage:

• 21 Hilarious Internet Reactions To The Perfection That Is Simone Biles
• Unstoppable U.S. Women’s Gymnastics Team Takes Gold In Rio
• Here’s What Gymnastics Judges See That You Don’t