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It's not every day a gymnast lands a triple tuck and a triple pike in one routine. But for Kameron Nelson, Ohio State University's star senior, breaking the mold is kind of the point.
He's used to setting records. But when he talks about greatness? He doesn't point to himself. He points to Simone Biles.
In a recent interview with EssentiallySports, Nelson didn't hesitate when asked about her influence: "She is huge for both men and women, just setting the new standard of sport, honestly. Not even just gymnastics, but what it means to be an athlete."
And he would know. Nelson's made headlines for his floor routines, won big at the Winter Cup and NCAA meets, and is widely seen as one of the most innovative gymnasts of his generation. Still, it's Biles' mindset that impresses him most.
"She's kind of self-made," he said. "Like [she] always had the power and the will to do that stuff..."
Biles' story started in foster care, where she was adopted by her grandfather and introduced to gymnastics during a school field trip. The rest? Olympic history. From Rio 2016 to Paris 2024, she's redefined what's possible in the sport-not just for women, but for everyone.
Why the Men's Side Is Watching Biles, Too
When Biles became the first woman to land a Yurchenko double pike, it didn't just shake up the women's field-it sparked debates across men's gymnastics about difficulty standards. Nelson explained it best: "Our sports are kind of completely different. But her growth helps everyone."
The mental side matters, too. At the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Biles made waves for stepping back to prioritize her mental health, something Nelson calls "game-changing." It brought needed attention to athletes' well-being-and inspired many, including male gymnasts, to speak more openly.
"She's the epitome of an athlete," he said. "She's just built different."
And she's not done yet. Even after a dominant run at the 2024 Paris Games, Biles hasn't ruled out competing at the LA 2028 Olympics. "We'll see..." she said in an April interview. Whether she flips into another Olympic cycle or not, her impact is already baked into the next generation of athletes.
Nelson sees it clearly: "What she's done? It's huge. For all of us."