Simone Biles' Older Sister Arrested For DUI Just Weeks Before Tokyo Olympics
Four-time Olympic gold-medalist Simone Biles’ older sister was arrested for a DUI just weeks before the Tokyo games.
Ashley Biles-Thomas was arrested and charged with two counts of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence, driving with a suspended license, leaving the scene of an accident, failure to yield or stop at sign and probation violation on July 5, according to online jail records obtained by The Sun.
The Olympian’s older sister was previously arrested in April 2019 for assault, which she pled guilty to and was sentenced to 180 days in jail with 155 days suspended and two years probation. Ashley was arrested again in February 2021 for breaking probation.
According to Radar Online, Ashley was first charged in 2014 with drug trafficking and possession, then again in 2015 for operating a vehicle while impaired.
The older sister’s most recent legal woes come just weeks before Biles competed with the USA Gymnastics team at the Tokyo Olympics.
After the first event, Biles exited the team final following a shaky vault performance and opted to support her team from the sidelines. The USA team, including Sunisa Lee, Jordan Chiles, and Grace McCallum, went on to take home the silver medal.
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On Tuesday, July 27, USA Gymnastics stated that Biles withdrew from the team final due to a medical issue, though it was later explained that the national hero is suffering from a mental health struggle.
Biles later told reporters that she was battling mental “demons,” saying “I didn’t want to go out and do something stupid and get hurt.”
On Wednesday, July 28, USA Gymnastics released another statement to The New York Times, sharing that Biles would also be withdrawing from the individual all-around competition “in order to focus on her mental health.”
“We wholeheartedly support Simone’s decision and applaud her bravery in prioritizing her well-being,” the statement read.
“Her courage shows, yet again, while she is a role model for so many,” the statement concluded.
Biles will be evaluated daily to determine if she will participate in the event finals next week.
