When one icon recognizes another, the sports world takes notice. American gymnast Simone Biles recently shared a look from her time at the Harper’s Bazaar Women of the Year 2025 event in Madrid, Spain, and fellow superstar Mikaela Shiffrin was quick to show her support. The moment highlighted a close friendship between two of the most dominant athletes of their generation, who first met at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
How Did Mikaela Shiffrin React to Simone Biles’ Latest Post?
Biles took to Instagram to post a photo from the Harper’s Bazaar event, which celebrates influential women in sports, fashion, art, and business. On the red carpet, the celebrated gymnast wore a stunning ivory halter-neck gown that featured crystal-textured detailing. She completed the look with silver metallic heels and subtle jewelry, captioning the post, “A night celebrating women with @harpersbazaares 🪽✨🤍.”
Shiffrin, an alpine skier who has called Biles “inspiring” and “powerful,” commented on the post with a simple show of appreciation: “❤️”
Biles, who is also an SI Swimsuit model, attended the event alongside two of the magazine’s other models, Bianca Balti and Lorena Durán. Biles first signed with the magazine in 2017 and debuted in a photo shoot in Houston, Texas, that same year.
Earlier in 2025, Biles discussed her performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics during an interview at the Laureus World Sports Awards in Madrid. After winning three gold medals and one silver, she explained her mindset during the games.
“I really took the time [in Paris] to cherish each and every moment, to take lots of photos and videos, and just have fun with the girls,” Biles said. “It’s something I’ll never forget, and I’ll forever cherish.”
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During the Olympics, Biles also used her platform to speak on the importance of mental health. She elaborated on that message during the Laureus event.
“I felt like it was important to tell everyone, even in those moments of absolute chaos, to just relax, mental health matters, and just to remind themselves of that,” Biles stated. “Even for us athletes, it’s not like mental health goes away for that week or two weeks when we’re at the Olympic Games.”
Following her dominant run in Paris, Biles has been on a break from competitive gymnastics. The American star has not yet confirmed whether she will compete at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.