SPORTS

Is the world's best female athlete coming to Indy in August?

David Woods
david.woods@indystar.com
Two-time world and U.S. all-around gymnastics champion Simone Biles of Spring, Tex. helped unveil a 3-D Rio letter sculpture at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Monday, July 27, 2015 promoting the P&G Gymnastics Championships in Indianapolis August 13-16. At the news conference, held in the entry pavilion, it was announced that "Rio," one of Indiana-based Vera Bradley's patterns released as part of their spring collection, will be used by USA Gymnastics for medalist ribbons at the championship, included in signage and also on participating athletes' bibs. The 2016 Olympic Games will be held in Rio de Janeiro. The country's top gymnasts will be in Indianapolis next month vying for the national team and spots on the 2015 World Championships team.

Gymnasts rarely pierce the collective sports consciousness except during an Olympic Games. An exception must be made for Simone Biles.

Biles, an 18-year-old from Spring, Texas, is not merely the best active gymnast in the world. Based on her seeming invincibility, she might be, as of this moment, the best female athlete in the world.

She has seen news reports suggesting as much.

"It freaks me out a little bit. Just because I don't think I'm that good," said Biles, who was in Indianapolis on Monday to promote the upcoming P&G Championships in August. "I still don't admit to the fact. And I just think I'm a normal kid."

That's not what others think.

Two-time Olympian Jonathan Horton told WTHR-13 that Biles might be the first female he has seen who is as powerful as top male gymnasts. Mary Lou Retton, the 1984 Olympic champion in the all-around, has said Biles "may be the most talented gymnast" she has ever seen. That is the gist of what Bela Karolyi, who has coached for 50 years, and Olympic champions Nadia Comaneci and Nastia Liukin have also said.

In the national championships, set for Aug. 13-16 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Biles will try to become the first woman to win a third successive all-around title since Kim Zmeskal (1990-92). No one has ever won four in a row, and Biles could do so.

Last year she became the first woman in 40 years to win four gold medals at a World Championships. She already has nine medals from two world meets, one less than the U.S. record of 10 medals set by Alicia Sacramone over six World Championships from 2005-11.

In this sport, several tenths of a point is a blowout. Biles won Saturday's Secret U.S. Classic at Hoffman Estates, Ill., by 1.9 points over reigning Olympic all-around champion Gabby Douglas.

"I keep saying, if the Olympics were this year, then without a doubt she would be the Olympic all-around champion," Liukin said of Biles in an October interview. "It's hard because you have to be patient, and you have to take your time, and you have to put together a training plan to not peak too early. As of right now, it would be very hard to find someone better than her."

The Olympics are not this year, as Biles is keenly aware. She said it is "nerve-wracking" to discuss it because there is so much before then: nationals, worlds (Sept. 23-Oct. 1 at Glasgow, Scotland), Olympic Trials and final team selection.

On the other hand, it is no exaggeration to assert the Road to Rio starts in Indianapolis. Opening ceremony is Aug. 5, 2016, so the Olympics will be less than a year away during the P&G Championships.

"I still take it day by day because you never know what can happen," Biles said. "So you can't upset yourself about the Olympics or stress about it because you have no control about it. You can't stress because it's still so far away."

Etc.

Monday's news conference featured unveiling of Vera Bradley's signature "Rio" pattern that will appear on signage, athlete bibs and medals during the P&G Championships. Also featured was a 3-D "Rio" letter sculpture that will be used during the event. … After Biles (62.40) and Douglas (60.50), rounding out the top five at the U.S. Classic were Maggie Nichols, 60.00; Bailie Key, 59.45, and triple Olympic medalist Aly Raisman, 59.05. … Besides Alec Yoder, Indianapolis, the 2014 Youth Olympics all-around bronze medalist, the P&G men's qualifiers include Mitchell Brown, Fortville, and Anton Stephenson, Fishers, in the junior division.

Call Star reporter David Woods at (317) 444-6195. Follow him on Twitter: @DavidWoods007.

WORLD'S BEST FEMALE ATHLETE?

Who is the world's greatest active female athlete? You couldn't go wrong in selecting one of these four:

Simone Biles

Age: 18

Residence: Spring, Texas

Sport: Gymnastics

Achievements: Two-time world all-around champion. Nine world medals, including six golds.

Genzebe Dibaba

Age: 24

Residence: Ethiopia

Sport: Track and field

Achievements: Broke 22-year-old world record with time of 3:50.07 in the 1,500 meters on July 17. Set three indoor world records in three different events within 15 days in 2014.

Katie Ledecky

Age: 18

Residence: Bethesda, Md.

Sport: Swimming

Achievements: Won 800-meter freestyle at 2012 Olympics (at age 15) and four gold medals at 2013 World Championships. Set five world records in 2014. Could win as win as five golds at upcoming World Championships.

Serena Williams

Age: 33

Residence: Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.

Sport: Tennis

Achievements: Has won 21 Grand Slam singles titles, three off the all-time record, and could complete one-year Grand Slam by winning this year's U.S. Open.