Simone Biles has been named the AP Female Athlete of the Year for the third time after a remarkable comeback season. She previously won the award following the Rio 2016 season as well as in 2019.
The rare feat has taken her to a select group that includes Serena Williams and Annika Sorenstam.
The 26-year-old gymnast, a four-time Olympic gold medallist, faced mental health struggles during Tokyo 2020 but made a glittering return in 2023.
Winning her eighth individual all-around at the U.S. Championships and claiming a sixth World Championship title, she now has a total of 30 world medals, 23 of them gold.
Biles, gearing up for Paris 2024, becomes the sixth woman to win the AP award thrice, beating out competitors like basketball star Caitlin Clark and Spanish footballer Aitana BonmatÃ.
