Simone Biles has defended her Belize vacation after facing online criticism for travelling barely two weeks after a near-fatal medical emergency, telling followers on Monday, 22 June 2026, that the trip was part of her healing.
The Olympic gymnast pushed back at comments on her own Instagram post, where some questioned why she was holidaying so soon after a serious health scare.
Her reply struck a calm note, asking critics to show more grace and making clear the getaway was about recovery.
Why Simone Biles defended her vacation
The Olympic gymnast came under fire after sharing photographs from a trip to Belize with her husband, Jonathan Owens, a little over a week after what she called a serious medical emergency.
Some followers questioned why she was travelling and drinking so soon.
Biles is the most decorated gymnast in history, with a combined haul of Olympic and World Championship medals that has made her one of the most recognisable athletes in the world.
That profile means her social media posts draw heavy attention, both supportive and critical.
Biles responded directly to the comments on Instagram. She wrote:
“A little over two weeks ago, I experienced a serious medical emergency that could have ended very differently, and this trip has been part of allowing myself to heal and appreciate being here.”
What Simone Biles said to her critics
She added a message aimed at those questioning her choices.
“I hope you understand that life changing experiences can shift your perspective, and that you’re able to extend a little more grace to others moving forward,” Biles wrote.
The backlash centred on the timing of the trip and photographs that showed her relaxing and enjoying drinks.
Supporters pushed back quickly, arguing that recovery looks different for everyone and that a holiday can be part of healing after a frightening health episode.
When one follower pressed for details of exactly what had happened, the gymnast kept the specifics private.
Asked to explain the scare, Biles replied that she was “not ready to talk about it just yet,” signalling she intends to share more in her own time.
What happens next for Simone Biles
Biles has said the emergency happened while Owens was away in Indianapolis for practice, and that she spent time resting in bed to recover. Swisher Post first reported the gymnast’s health scare earlier this month, when news of the hospitalisation initially emerged.
Owens, a professional American football player, has stayed largely out of the public exchange, with Biles handling the responses herself.
Her decision to address the critics head-on rather than ignore them fits a pattern of the gymnast speaking openly about her mental and physical health.
For now, Biles has made clear she is focused on recovery rather than competition, and that she will discuss the medical emergency only when she feels ready.
Fans are likely to look for that update in the weeks ahead, with the gymnast keeping the details under wraps.
