Simone Biles apologizes to former team captain Aly Raisman for calling her ‘grandma’ when she was just 22

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Simone Biles, who recently made headlines during the second day of the Olympic trials, has apologized to her former team captain Aly Raisman for jokingly referring to her as the "grandma" of the team. 

This apology follows Biles, 27, making history by qualifying for her third Olympic Games. During a press interview after securing her spot on the team, Biles addressed the topic of age and specifically highlighted her apology to Raisman.

Simone Biles issues apology to Aly Raisman for 'grandma' remark

After she qualified for the US Olympic women's gymnastics team on Sunday, June 30, Biles addressed the press where the topic of her age—making her one of the oldest gymnasts in the upcoming Summer Games—arose.

 During the press conference, she took a moment to apologize to Raisman, who was just 22 when she served as captain of the US women's gymnastics team at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, as per People.

According to Gymnastics Now, Biles remarked, "So now, I definitely have to apologize to Aly for calling her grandma because, whew, I feel like I’m way older now than me calling her grandma when we were younger." 

She continued, "And you know, it’s what 11 [p.m.]? So, it’s definitely past my bedtime, so I know Aly would be cracking up right now. But yeah, it’s crazy. I’m a lot older and more mature. What was the rest of the question? See, I’m forgetting."

Biles also reflected on the contrast between her current journey and the Rio Games eight years ago, mentioning, "I definitely have to take care of recovery mentally, physically. After Classics, I swore I couldn't walk. I was like hobbling to the plane, so that was exciting. After Championships, I felt a little bit better and after day one of trials, I was actually surprised I could walk. So I was like, 'Woo, I'm actually not as sore, I'm not hurting.'" 

She added, "So it takes a big part. So recovery, I just have to take a little bit more serious. Back in Rio, I could do anything. I'd never needed tape, nothing. I was just like a little hamster on a wheel, always running."

Biles maintained her lead throughout the US women's Olympic trials and now, as she prepares for the Paris Games, she becomes only the fourth American woman to qualify for three gymnastics teams.

Internet reacts as Simone Biles apologizes to Aly Raisman

Upon hearing Biles' apology to Raisman for calling her "grandma", many fans of the gymnast expressed their thoughts on Facebook.

One user said, "There is nothing wrong with being called old or grandma if you ask me it helps you accept your degrading comments and behaviors."

Another user praised, "Wow! Simone…you are genuine & have class!"

The third claimed, "Ms Biles. You have nothing and noone to apologize for. You are grace, poise and just plain great."

The fourth said, "Ageism, or the obsession with age, needs to end."

The last user asserted, "Apologizing is always a wonderful thing!"

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