With the fierce competition that comes in the world of sports, no rivalry can put the public in a frenzied state like the rivalry done by the fans of Simone Biles and Caitlin Clark. Recently, the discussion ratcheted up and inspired some passionate reactions across social media. Yet the latest awards have only stoked the comparisons that most fans have a hard time wrapping their head around — they’ve had monumental years, both, and each has left an indelible mark on their respective sport.
Simone Biles, the queen of gymnastics, won three gold and one silver at the 2024 Paris Olympics to become the most decorated gymnast of all time. Clark, however, scorched the court and became the WNBA Rookie of the Year while taking her team to unprecedented achievements. Her remarkable year also received her the Time Magazine’s Athlete of the Year award which added more to the controversy.
It was not surprising that the announcement invited comparisons between the athletes. Simone Biles’ Sports Illustrated’s 2024 Sportsperson of the Year recognition was supposed to have been a celebration of athletic excellence — but Caitlin Clark fans have lit a firestorm. The outrage, however, is proof of how effortlessly both women write the narrative of modern sports.
Even with the uproar, the two athletes continue to possess mutual respect. Their friendship began at a WNBA game earlier this year, and it’s clear to see that they have no shortage of admiration for one another, putting fans in a hopeful mood for much more thrilling moments.