The biological mother of Simone Biles' has implored her daughter for forgiveness, after lifting the lid on the heartbreaking reason she was forced to hand the American gymnast over to the care of her grandparents aged six.
Since that day, a now 27-year-old Simone has endured a zero-contact relationship her mother Shanon, having been raised by her maternal grandmother Nellie and grandfather Ronald Biles.
Simone's grandparents - as well as her husband, NFL star Jonathan Owens - were spotted cheering the talented athlete on from the sidelines of this year's Olympic Games, at which she secured countless medals, including three golds.
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The Ohio-born champion was also able to cement her position as the most decorated gymnast in history.
Following her inspiring triple-wins in Paris this year, the Olympian wrote on Instagram: "Such an honor. I haven’t found the right words to describe my olympic experience, it’s been a whirlwind… but I do know, I’ll be forever grateful to represent the United States", shortly before posting photos of her enjoying life in the French capital.
Though Simone's biological mother Shanon - who previously struggled with drug and alcohol addiction, which led to losing custody of her children - wasn't there to watch her daughter's victory, she has since given an interview to press.
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In the controversial interview with the Daily Mail, the 52-year-old firstly touched on the reason why she was forced to give up Simone and her siblings.
"It was hard to give up my kids, but I had to do what I had to do," Shanon claimed.
"I wasn't able to care for them. I was still using and [my father] didn't want me coming in and out of their lives when I wasn't right."
While Simone and her little sister Adria were sent to live with their grandparents, the duo's older siblings were adopted by a great-aunt, who also lived in Ohio.
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Shanon went on to insist she'd like to make amends with Simone personally, revealing the only way she learned of her daughter's achievements growing up was through phone calls to her father Ronald.
"I'm just waiting for her and Adria," she told the publication. "I speak to Adria more than I speak to Simone. I would just ask her to forgive me.
"Can we move forward? Don't judge me on my past. Let's move forward.
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"I'm waiting for the opportunity but I'm waiting on her to be able to come to me. Let's sit down. I just have to be patient."
Shanon added: "If I need to know anything I call my dad. I ask him about Simone, and he keeps me posted."
The mother-of-four added that she initially agreed on a no-contact relationship with her children, claiming she believed it was in her best interest at the time.
"I didn't understand at the time but years later, I understood why. I had to deal with me first," she insisted.
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Simone has rarely addressed her adoption in conversation with press, though in an interview with TODAY midway through this year's sporting tournament, she said she 'wouldn't be here today' if she hadn't have been placed up for adoption.
Gushing over Ronnie and Nellie in an Instagram post during the games, she wrote: "Appreciation post for my sweet parents. thanks for making sacrifices since day 1 so I can live out my dream."
Tyla has reached out to representatives of Simone Biles for comment.
Topics: Simone Biles, Celebrity, US News, Sport, Olympics, Parenting
Rhianna Benson