Simone Biles is widely celebrated as the greatest American Olympic gymnast of all time. With an astounding four medals won during the Paris Games, Biles has firmly etched her name in the annals of sports history. However, her journey to greatness has been marked by personal challenges and a family history not often discussed.

Simone's birth mother, Shanon Biles, faced significant struggles that ultimately led to Simone and her siblings being placed into foster care. Due to Shanon’s battle with substance abuse and addiction, she was unable to care for her children. It was Biles' maternal grandfather, Ronald Biles, and his second wife, Nellie Cayetano Biles, who stepped in to provide the stability and care the children needed. The couple eventually adopted Simone and her sister Adria.

Ronald Biles opened up about his daughter's struggles in a 2016 interview, revealing that Shanon’s addiction issues made it necessary to keep the children in a stable environment. Nellie Biles also expressed that they were open to Simone and her siblings maintaining a relationship with their birth mother, should they choose to do so.

In a recent interview, Shanon Biles, who now works at a grocery store in Ohio, spoke candidly about her past and her hopes for the future. Clean and sober, Shanon expressed a desire to reconnect with her daughter, Simone.

"I want her to reach out to me. She’s 27 now. She’s married. I would have liked to have been a part of that, but I just have to wait for her," Shanon said. "You can’t push anybody. It hasn’t happened yet, but I have patience. I’m waiting on her."

She admitted it was challenging to relinquish her children but recognized that her father made the best decision to ensure their well-being.

“It was hard to give up my kids, but I had to do what I had to do. I wasn’t able to care for them,” she explained. “I was still using and [my father] didn’t want me coming in and out of their lives when I wasn’t right.”

Shanon also stated that she wishes to personally ask Simone for forgiveness and hopes to move forward, leaving the past behind. She is optimistic yet understands that the ball is in Simone's court. Shanon maintains some contact with her daughter Adria but remains hopeful for a broader reconciliation with Simone.

“I would like to make amends with Simone personally – I’m just waiting for her and Adria,” Shanon tells Daily Mail. “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.”

Despite the pride she feels in her daughter’s achievements, Shanon acknowledges that they do not have a close relationship and do not communicate directly. She often receives updates about Simone through her father, Ronald Biles.

For Simone, the immediate focus is on her Olympic tour and recovering from a calf injury sustained during the games. Whether she will choose to reconnect with her birth mother remains to be seen.

As Simone continues to inspire millions with her athletic prowess and resilience, her story serves as a powerful reminder of the complexities and challenges that often lie behind the scenes of extraordinary success.