The Olympic gymnast raised privacy concerns while traveling for the 2026 Laureus World Sports Awards at Cibeles Palace in Madrid
Credit: Patrick McDermott/Getty
NEED TO KNOW
- Simone Biles asked for privacy from her fans during her travels to Spain on Sunday, April 19
- The decorated gymnast asked via her Instagram Stories that fans show their “love from afar” because it makes her “anxious” to see them outside of her hotel
- Biles is in Madrid for the 2026 Laureus World Sports Awards
Simone Biles appreciates the love, but is asking for space.
The Olympic gymnast, 29, raised privacy concerns during her European travels for the 2026 Laureus World Sports Awards held at Cibeles Palace in Madrid, posting a message to her fans on her Instagram Stories.
"okay I realllilly love how passionate and dedicated y'all are, BUT I have to be honest. It really makes me anxious when you stand outside of the hotel all day. Can we please please please love from afar 🤍🤍🤍🤞🏾🤞🏾🤞🏾& respect privacy xx," she wrote on Sunday, April 19.
Credit: Simone Biles/Instagram
She added, "i would love to take pics while I'm out & about though 🫶🏾."
Biles penned her request over a scenic shot seemingly taken at a restaurant, featuring a snap from her table setting at the eatery featuring two fruity beverages by her plate. It is unclear by the photo if she was dining alone or was accompanied by others.
The message followed a few photos of the gold medalist's travel journey, where she shared snaps of herself on the plane en route to Spain and posted a mirror selfie taken in what appears to be her luxe hotel room.
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Credit: Simone Biles/Instagram
To end her evening, Biles shared a photo of herself skin-prepping from bed. She snapped a selfie in a face mask while wearing a white tank top underneath her covers, writing, TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE @laureussport."
The Laureus World Sports Awards is an annual event that honors individuals and teams while also celebrating major sporting achievements. It also supports the Laureus Sport for Good foundation, which uses sport to transform young lives around the world.
Biles, the most decorated gymnast of all time, is a four-time winner of the Laureus Sportswoman of the Year. Her fourth win came after she added three Olympic golds and a silver medal to her her collection after the 2024 Paris Olympics.
This time around, Biles will attend the 2026 Laureus Awards on Monday, April 20 as an ambassador and a special guest.
Her involvement with the Laureus movement was first announced in February.
Credit: Simone Biles/Instagram
Biles began her role with Laureus in Milan that month, visiting Polisportiva Garegnano, a program supporting youth, particularly girls, by building confidence, resilience and life skills through sport.
Her husband, Jonathan Owens, was by Biles' side in February amid their trip to Italy for the 2026 Winter Games.
After she was named as an ambassador, Biles shared, "Laureus has played a meaningful role in my journey for many years, and I am incredibly proud to have been honoured four times as Laureus Sportswoman of the Year, including at last year’s Awards in Madrid, which was an unforgettable night for me," per the Laureus website.
"I’ve seen that power in action – how sport can open doors, build confidence and help young people feel seen and supported," she continued. "The opportunity to visit the girls in Milan was a reminder of why this work matters so much: their energy, their determination, their joy."
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