Simone Biles, Megan Rapinoe and More Receive Presidential Medal of Freedom
etonline.comIt was a momentous day at the White House for Simone Biles, Megan Rapinoe and 15 other recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
President Biden bestowed the nation's highest civilian honor to the awardees in the East Room on Thursday. Biles made history at the ceremony as the youngest person to ever receive the Medal of Freedom.
At just 25 years old, the Olympian has become an advocate for mental health, sexual assault awareness and a fierce champion for women in sports. «Today, [Biles] adds to her medal count of 32 — I don't know if you're gonna find room,» Biden said of America's most decorated gymnast. «To turn personal pain into a greater purpose, to stand up and speak for those who cannot speak for themselves,» Biden continued.
U.S. Women's Soccer star Megan Rapinoe was also present for the ceremony Thursday. Honoring the athlete for being a leading voice for equal pay in sports, Biden said of Rapinoe, «Beyond the World Cup titles to Olympic medals, Megan is a champion for an essential American truth: that everyone, everyone is entitled to be treated with dignity and respect.»Rapinoe's white pantsuit that she wore to the ceremony was emblazoned with a powerful tribute to WNBA star Brittney Griner, who is currently detained in Russia after being arrested in February.
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