Who will take home the award? Simone Biles vs Rebeca Andrade: Gymnastics fans divided over Laureus Award decision
The 2025 Laureus World Sports Awards have ignited a heated discussion among gymnastics fans, not because of who won but because of who didn’t get nominated.
While Rebeca Andrade secured a nomination for the Comeback of the Year award, Simone Biles, who many believed was the frontrunner for the honor, was noticeably absent from the category.
Simone Biles, widely regarded as the greatest gymnast of all time, made a triumphant return in 2023 after a two-year break due to mental health struggles.
She dominated at the 2023 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships, proving that she had not only regained her form but had elevated her performance to new heights.
Given her remarkable journey, fans expected her to be recognized for overcoming significant obstacles-just as she was in 2024, when she won the Comeback of the Year award.
However, instead of being nominated for the same category this year, Biles was placed in a different race altogether-the prestigious Sportswoman of the Year award.
While undeniably a high honor, the shift left many questioning whether she had been overlooked for an accolade that perfectly fit her narrative.
Should Simone Biles have been nominated for both?
The Laureus Comeback of the Year award is designed to honor athletes who have overcome major setbacks to return to elite competition.
While Andrade’s journey has been remarkable, Biles’ return to gymnastics after stepping away from the Tokyo Olympics was equally, if not more, compelling.
In past years, the Laureus Awards have allowed athletes to be nominated for multiple categories.
In 2018, tennis legend Roger Federer was recognized for both Sportsman of the Year and Comeback of the Year, proving that it was possible for Biles to be included in both. Many of her supporters believe she should have received the same recognition.
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One frustrated fan wrote, “Simone literally walked away from the sport to focus on her mental health and came back stronger than ever. If that’s not a comeback, what is?”
Another added, “This decision makes no sense. Rebeca has been performing consistently for years, but Simone had to fight to reclaim her place at the top.”
Rebeca Andrade’s inspiring comeback story
While Biles’ absence from the category has sparked backlash, Andrade’s inclusion is far from undeserved.
The Brazilian gymnast has faced a long road of adversity, tearing her ACL three separate times – in 2015, 2017, and 2019 – each time undergoing extensive rehab before returning to competition.
Despite these injuries, she has cemented herself as a dominant force in gymnastics, winning Olympic silver in 2021 and becoming the first Brazilian woman to win a World Championship gold medal in 2022.
Her success reached new heights at the Paris Olympics, where she claimed gold in floor exercise, silver in vault and all-around, and bronze in the team event. Given her remarkable resilience, many believe her nomination is well-earned.
Who will take home the award?
The winners of the 2025 Laureus World Sports Awards will be announced on April 21, and whether Biles or Andrade claims a trophy, both gymnasts have left an unforgettable mark on the sport. While some fans argue that Biles was unfairly overlooked, others see Andrade’s recognition as long overdue.
No matter the outcome, the Simone Biles vs. Rebeca Andrade rivalry continues to captivate gymnastics fans-not just in competition, but in the debate over who deserves the title of the sport’s ultimate comeback queen.
