Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

‘No, I’m good, I’m 25’: Simone Biles offered colouring book on flight home from Washington

‘The other flight attendant gave me a mimosa so we’re in the clear,’ says world-beating athlete

Helen Coffey
Monday 11 July 2022 10:29 EDT
Comments
Simone Biles
Simone Biles (AP)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Simone Biles, one of the world’s most decorated gymnasts who has seven Olympic gold medals to her name, was mistaken for a child on a recent flight - and even offered a colouring book.

The 25-year-old became the youngest recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom on Thursday 7 July, presented to her by President Joe Biden.

But on her flight home from picking up the award in Washington, DC, Biles reported that a flight attendant gravely miscalculated her age.

“Not the flight attendant trying to give me a colouring book when I board…” she wrote on her Instagram stories.

“I said ‘no I’m good, I’m 25.’”

The athlete is just 1.42m tall - just under 4ft 7in - which could be how the confusion arose.

Thankfully, another member of cabin crew offered Biles a more adult treat.

“The other flight attendant gave me a mimosa so we’re in the clear.”

However, even then she was asked if she was old enough to drink it when it was brought over.

Fans saw the funny side of the flight attendant’s mistake.

YouTuber Matt Bernstein tweeted: “I’m crying at the thought of a flight attendant giving Simone Biles, the most decorated gymnast in history, a colouring book because she is 4’8.”

It follows the gymnast responding with the perfect comeback to former Trump campaign lawyer, Jenna Ellis, who called her a “loser” on social media.

In response to Biles receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Ellis tweeted: “Fittingly, Biden awarded his presidential medals to fellow losers, Biles and Rapinoe.”

To which Biles replied: “Who is Jenna Ellis? Asking for everyone.”

Podcast host Fred Wellman also went in to bat for the athlete, writing: “Simone Biles won 19 World Championship Golds, 4 Olympic Golds and is the most decorated gymnast in US history.

“Megan Rapinoe won 2 World Cups, an Olympic Gold and was named Best Player in the World in 2019. You lost 63 lawsuits and got farted on by Rudy Giuliani.”

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in