American artistic gymnast Simone Biles had a humbling encounter with a flight attendant after being awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
With 32 Olympic and World Championship medals, the 25-year-old is the most decorated American gymnast in history.
She was apparently on a flight home after being presented with the highest civilian honor by President Joe Biden when a flight attendant mistook the 4 feet 8 inches tall gymnast for a child and gave her a coloring book.
Umm, Thanks?
The Olympic champion joked about the situation on social media, writing:
"Not the flight attendant trying to give me a coloring book when I board. I said, 'No, I'm good. I'm 25.'"
\u201ci\u2019m crying at the thought of a flight attendant giving simone biles the most decorated gymnast in history a coloring book because she is 4\u20198\u201d\u201d— matt (@matt) 1657380097
People had plenty to say about the misunderstanding.
Some people would have gladly accepted the offer.
\u201c@mattxiv I would\u2019ve taken it and then ordered a glass of wine.\u201d— matt (@matt) 1657380097
\u201c@Prince15081967 @mattxiv I\u2019m 47 and would take a coloring book from the attendant\u201d— matt (@matt) 1657380097
\u201c@mattxiv Okay but I'm 31 and I still love a good coloring book. It's relaxing and creative and there is nothing wrong with coloring. I don't know why people make it sound like adult coloring books don't exist.\u201d— matt (@matt) 1657380097
Some were shocked the flight attendant didn't recognize the star gymnast.
\u201c@mattxiv how does the flight attendant not know who simone biles is!\u201d— matt (@matt) 1657380097
\u201c@mattxiv Two things can be true at once: that was disrespectful towards Simone, and coloring books are totally rad\u201d— matt (@matt) 1657380097
\u201c@mattxiv Honestly, they should start offering everyone a coloring book. Who doesn\u2019t like to color?\u201d— matt (@matt) 1657380097
\u201c@mattxiv I may be "too old" for a colouring book but I definitely would've taken it\u201d— matt (@matt) 1657380097
Others found her situation relatable.
\u201c@mattxiv Deceased. I am 5\u20192 and when I was a teenager sometimes adults would kneel down to \u201cget on my level\u201d to talk to me like I was 5.\u201d— matt (@matt) 1657380097
\u201c@mattxiv I\u2019m 32, 4\u201911, and my favorite is going to the movies and getting a kids ticket, even if the movie is r rated.\u201d— matt (@matt) 1657380097
\u201c@mattxiv @thefalconette My sister is 4'11". She's been pulled over for suspected joyriding, I was handed crayons to give her at a restaurant (I'm younger than her and she was in her 30s then), and once her date was asked if he needed a kids' menu for her.\u201d— matt (@matt) 1657380097
\u201c@mattxiv I always tell the story about how the middle school bus stopped for me while waiting for an Uber one morning lmao i was 27\u201d— matt (@matt) 1657380097
\u201c@mattxiv I'm 5'3 and hate taller ppl trying to shift me when they want to move by me. Can't they not tell I'm Amazonian in spirit?!\u201d— matt (@matt) 1657380097
On Thursday, Biles was one of 17 people–alongside soccer star Megan Rapinoe–to be presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Democratic President Joe Biden.
It is awarded to people with "an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural or other significant public or private endeavors."
Biles is also the youngest to receive the honor.
"Today, she adds to her medal count," he said while introducing Biles and joked about how he didn't know how she was "going to find room" with all of her other distinguished accolades.
Biles is recognized as an advocate for athletes' mental health, foster care children, and sexual assault victims.
Many fans supported her after she prioritized her mental health and pulled out of the women's team final during the Tokyo Olympics last year, citing that the "mental's not there."
At a news conference about her decision to withdraw, Biles stated:
"I just felt like it would be a little bit better to take a back seat, work on my mindfulness. And I knew that the girls would do an absolutely great job."
She added:
"I say put mental health first. Because if you don't, then you're not going to enjoy your sport and you're not going to succeed as much as you want to."
"So it's OK sometimes to even sit out the big competitions to focus on yourself, because it shows how strong of a competitor and person that you really are — rather than just battle through it."
White House press release
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