Simone Biles and Megan Rapinoe Honored as Notable Americans
Team USA Olympic stars Simone Biles (gymnastics) and Megan Rapinoe (soccer) were each awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom Medal at a White House ceremony today, honoring their respective contributions to the U.S. Specifically, the award recognizes those who have offered "an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural or other significant public or private endeavors", and is the highest civilian honor in the nation.
In addition to their Olympic success, the two are both noted for using their voices to drive social awareness and change: Biles on mental health and sexual abuse, and Rapinoe on equality and equity.
Biles and Rapinoe were acknowledged alongside 15 other personalities from across entertainment, politics, business, health care, and more. They join Babe Didrikson Zaharias & Jesse Owens (track & field), Muhammad Ali (Cassius Clay, boxing), Dan Gable (wrestling), and Michael Jordan, Bill Russell, Pat Summit and Jerry West (basketball) as Olympic stars bestowed with the honor since 1963.
Congratulations!
In addition to their Olympic success, the two are both noted for using their voices to drive social awareness and change: Biles on mental health and sexual abuse, and Rapinoe on equality and equity.
Biles and Rapinoe were acknowledged alongside 15 other personalities from across entertainment, politics, business, health care, and more. They join Babe Didrikson Zaharias & Jesse Owens (track & field), Muhammad Ali (Cassius Clay, boxing), Dan Gable (wrestling), and Michael Jordan, Bill Russell, Pat Summit and Jerry West (basketball) as Olympic stars bestowed with the honor since 1963.
Congratulations!
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Check out the gallery below for other Olympic recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom...
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