For Bishop Robert Barron, American gymnast Simone Biles’ most recent gold medal performance represented more than just a remarkable athletic feat. It was a “holy” feat of athletic grace.
With her gold medal in the all-around competition at the Olympic Games in Paris on Thursday, Biles cemented her status as the best American female gymnast in history.
Leader of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester in Minnesota and well-known Catholic leader Barron stated he was reminded of NBA legend Michael Jordan’s prime by Biles’ graceful and athletic performance.
He told Fox News Digital, “It was incredible to watch Simone Biles last night and her incredible performance.” Furthermore, she is the GOAT. She’s the finest of all time, really. And it made me think of seeing the greatest basketball player of all time, Michael Jordan, when I was younger. There was just something fundamentally different about Jordan. He was surrounded by excellent players, but Jordan was something else entirely. He was not the same. Simone is in the same boat. She performs with the best gymnasts in the world, but you know, when she did this, it was at this level of perfection.”
At the Artistic Gymnastics Women’s All-Around Final medal ceremony on August 1, 2024, in Paris, France’s Bercy Arena, during the sixth day of the Olympic Games Paris 2024, gold medallist Simone Biles of Team United States poses on the podium.(Getty Images/Jean Catuffe))
Barron remarked that her performance was reminiscent of the old Greek Olympics, which celebrated athletic prowess, and that one of the great things about athletics was that it fostered a pursuit of excellence for its own reason.
He declared, “I’m not watching Simone Biles to achieve anything else.” “I’m just thinking about how exquisite the performance was. As a religious person, I will add that it’s one way that value manifests itself in the world. It has a rather hallowed quality to it.
“I also employ the term contemplation. When you’re at a baseball game, you do that. You’re merely appreciating the beauty of this performance whether you love baseball or are witnessing the greatest player of all time play. Additionally, there’s something amazing and mystical about that. And you can see why the Olympics have been around for so long and why people are still interested in them.”
Biles’s return to form comes after a challenging voyage in the Tokyo Games in 2021, when she infamously withdrew from the all-around final due to a severe case of the “twisties.” This year, she triumphantly returned to the biggest stage in the sport and talked about the praise and criticism she received for coming public with her troubles.
Americans, pleased to see one of their own win a gold medal, were enthralled with her performance once more.
The leader of the Minnesota Diocese of Winona-Rochester is Bishop Robert Barron.(Ministries of Word on Fire)
Barron stated, “That’s why beauty is a unifying attribute.” “Yes, it is the goal of the Olympic Games, where all of the world’s nations, at least in theory, assemble. Its beauty lies in that. And it’s comparable to a magnificent piece of art, a magnificent religious event, or this outstanding sporting accomplishment. They have a bringing together quality.”
Following Lee’s bronze medal win in the all-around final, Biles and her American colleague Suni Lee paraded around the American flag while beaming and waving to the fans. Additionally, the two assisted in guiding the American squad to a gold medal in Paris.
There is still time for Biles to add to her nine career Olympic medals by competing in the vault, balancing beam, and floor exercise finals.
Previously, Barron gained widespread attention for his analysis of the Last Supper’s perceived ridicule during the Paris Olympic opening ceremonies. He discussed the Last Supper’s deep significance to Christianity and expressed his disappointment that it was ostensibly portrayed with drag queens.
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