After returning from her record breaking, and headline making, participation at the Tokyo Olympics, Simone Biles took to Instagram to play a game of "Unpopular Opinions" with fans.
It began innocently enough, with some fans declaring that "Friends is overrated", and others claiming "Avocados are not that good."
@simonebiles/Instagram
@simonebiles/Instagram
But things took a more serious turn when one fan shared the opinion that "abortion is wrong"
This was an opinion the seven-time-Olympic medalist couldn't agree with, confirming she was "very much pro-choice".
Her dignified response was shared on Twitter by a supportive fan.
Simone Biles, continuing to lead:pic.twitter.com/skefpjtPv7— Chloe Angyal (@Chloe Angyal) 1628553801
Acknowledging her answer would cause controversy, and that she might possibly even loose followers, Biles went on to say in her answer:
"Also, for everyone gonna say 'just put it up for adoption' it's not that easy, & coming from someone who was in the foster system, TRUST me."
"Foster care system is broken & it's TOUGH. Especially on the kids & young adults who age out."
Biles and her three siblings were placed in the foster system when biles was still an infant, after her mother proved unable to care them owing to substance abuse.
Biles and her younger sister, Adria, were eventually adopted by their paternal grandfather and his wife, while their two older siblings, Ashley and Tevin, were adopted by a paternal aunt.
Biles' fans were quick to commend her for standing by her firm, pro-choice stance, and mentioning her first-hand involvement in the foster care system.
I love her so much!!!— Carolyn McClanahan (@Carolyn McClanahan) 1628554329
So true your body your choice.— Elle (@Elle) 1628557814
I\u2019m an adoptee. People always counter my pro-choice stance with \u201cYou were adopted. You\u2019d have been aborted.\u201d I then tell them how many ALREADY ALIVE children aged out of foster care last year and were never adopted.\n\nSo proud of Simone Biles\u2019 use of her platform.— The Mean Progressive \u2122 (@The Mean Progressive \u2122) 1628560229
The people who say just put it up for adoption act as if going through the process of pregnancy and child birth isn't as traumatic as they believe all abortions are. Adoption is not guaranteed. I suggest they look up the stats for preference when it comes to adoption.— BelleRae (@BelleRae) 1628561507
Simone, you go girl! No controversy here. I believe its a WOMANS choice and your absolutely right, THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM IS SEVERELY BROKEN! I'm 61 and was one of those foster children so I know of what I speak.— lisa sasseville (@lisa sasseville) 1628612682
However, with abortion still a highly contested issue, it seemed inevitable that the 24-year-old Olympian would face criticism for her opinion as well.
As reported by The Daily Dot, one Twitter user claimed that Biles answer suggested that children in foster care's "lives are worth nothing and are better off dead", in a since-deleted Tweet.
But Biles was quick to call out the user in question in an impassioned Twitter post of her own.
I have forever & will continue to support foster kids. AS I WAS ONE. I\u2019ve been an advocate for foster kids and the system but you wouldn\u2019t know that because you don\u2019t follow me, you just like to open your mouth.— Simone Biles (@Simone Biles) 1628593352
In addition to calling out accusatory Twitter user of misconstruing her words, Biles reminded them that she was put in the foster care system herself.
"I did NOT say I support to abort rather than to put them through the foster care system."
"What I did imply is that you should not control someone else's body/decision."
"I have forever & will continue to support foster kids AS I WAS ONE."
Once again, Biles' fans came out in abundance to applaud her classy response to an anonymous individual going out of his way to vilify her.
Great response, Simone.— Kunal Panchal (@Kunal Panchal) 1628593314
Perfectly said— Sam (@Sam) 1628593332
people like that always try to find a way to make you look bad if you say something that they don\u2019t agree with. it\u2019s a shame to see them weaponise this topic and the foster system so they could seem like the better person. you handled that very well <33— Ruby \ud83e\udde3 (@Ruby \ud83e\udde3) 1628593444
Don\u2019t let trolls get you down! You are an incredibly strong, powerful, courageous, brace, beautiful, boss woman! You have started a conversation that was needed LONG ago! Little girls & young women have a new role model who has made it okay to talk about mental health. Thank you!— Julie Orsillo (@Julie Orsillo) 1628593467
Thanks for standing up for women.— betty vaughan (@betty vaughan) 1628593552
U r my idol for a reason\nAlways the best of the best in everything.\nU know how much lives u have changed till now...yeah there's many...u r a hero girl. Keep up the good work. \nGoat fighting— Kkkdias (@Kkkdias) 1628599263
Biles even inspired one of her fans to share their experience in the foster system, thanking her for bringing more attention to this issue.
From someone taken away on my 7th birthday & remained until aging out of Foster care I understood EXACTLY what you meant. The system is damaging most often than not. This take brings much needed awareness on many key issues. Please continue to be a beacon of light & leadership.— Ginnie\ud83c\udf2c (@Ginnie\ud83c\udf2c) 1628593656
Though Biles may have left Tokyo with only a silver and bronze medal, her bravery to be open about her struggles in gymnastics and in life only emphasizes her ability to always, in one way or another, come out on top.