Simone Biles: The Belizean-American Champion

Simone Biles is a US Olympian who has won a record-breaking number of gold medals in women's gymnastics. She is also a citizen of Belize through her mother, Nellie Cayetano Biles, who grew up in Belize City. Biles has called Belize her second home and visits at least once a year. She has a large fan base in Belize, including the first lady of Belize, Kim Simplis Barrow, who gathered with other Belizeans to watch Biles win gold at the Rio Olympics in 2016. Biles has expressed her love for Belize on social media, and her cousin, Opal Enriquez, has said that Biles shining a light on Belize is meaningful because it showcases other talent in the country.

Simone Biles has dual citizenship in Belize and the USA

Simone Biles is a well-known Olympic gymnast and gold medal winner. She holds dual citizenship in Belize and the USA. Her mother, Nellie Cayetano Biles, is from Belize City and moved to the US in 1973. Biles has called Belize her "second home" and visits at least once a year. She has a large fan base in Belize and is a source of national pride, with the Belize Tourism Board officially inviting her to visit. Biles has also expressed her love for Belize on social media, stating, "I love you more than I love Belize and that's a lot".

Biles's biological mother struggled with addiction and, at the age of three, she and her siblings entered the foster care system. Her grandparents, Ron and Nellie Biles, adopted her and her youngest sister. Biles's grandfather, Ron, is her maternal grandfather, and Nellie is his second wife.

Biles's mother, Nellie, owns a house in Belize, but the family usually stays at a resort when they visit. They spend their time enjoying the beach and going on fishing trips. Biles has also explored Mayan ruins and gone zip-lining during her visits to Belize.

Biles's cousin, Opal Enriquez, has spoken about the impact of her famous relative on Belize, saying, "For Simone to shine a light on Belize, I think it's meaningful because it's such a huge part of our family history and the foundation of who we are, and we are excited that this is being used as a platform to showcase other talent in Belize".

Biles's connection to Belize has brought attention to the country and her fans there celebrate her successes alongside her American supporters. She has expressed a desire to get married in Belize and continues to showcase her love for the country through her social media posts and interviews.

Her mother, Nellie Cayetano Biles, is from Belize

Simone Biles, the most decorated gymnast in World Championships history, has roots in Belize through her mother, Nellie Cayetano Biles. Nellie grew up in Belize City, Belize, before moving to the United States in 1973 at the age of 18 to attend college.

Belize-born Nellie comes from a prominent family in Belize. Her mother, Evarista Cayetano, was a teacher and grocery store owner, while her father, Silas, was a teacher who later rose through the ranks of the Belizean civil service to become a senator in 1985.

Simone holds dual citizenship in the United States and Belize and frequently visits the Central American country, referring to it as her "second home". She has said that she loves Belize and often features the country on her social media feeds. Belizeans are proud of their connection to the gymnast, with the Belizean national board of tourism tweeting their congratulations after her Olympic win in 2016.

Simone was born in Columbus, Ohio, and grew up in a Houston suburb. She was adopted by her maternal grandfather, Ron Biles, and his second wife, Nellie, when she was three years old. Her biological mother, Shanon Biles, struggled with addiction, and Simone and her siblings entered foster care before their grandparents stepped in.

Simone has credited her parents for their support and for giving her a stable and loving home. She has said that her "road to success" began when her grandparents adopted her and her younger sister, Adria.

Belize is Biles' second home

Belize is a second home to Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles, who has dual citizenship in Belize and the United States. Biles's biological mother, Nellie Cayetano, is from Belize City and grew up in the country before moving to the US in 1973. Biles has family in Belize, including her cousin Opal Enriquez, and has said that she visits the country at least once a year.

Biles has professed her love for Belize on social media, captioning a photo of her and her boyfriend, Jonathan Owens, "I love you more than I love Belize, and that's a lot." Belize is also a favourite destination for Biles's family vacations. In 2016, Biles's brother got married in Belize, and she has said that she plans to marry there as well.

Biles's connection to Belize has brought attention to the country, and she has been celebrated by Belizeans. During the 2016 Rio Olympics, Biles's relatives, the first lady of Belize, and contestants in the Miss Belize pageant gathered at a hotel in Belize City to watch her compete. After Biles won her fourth gold medal, the Belize Tourism Board tweeted an invitation for her to visit, to which she responded, "My second home, you betta Belize we're coming."

Biles has also showcased Belize's beauty and attractions through her vacation photos posted on social media. Her visits have included trips to Mayan ruins, zip-lining through rainforests, snorkelling, and enjoying the beaches. Biles's love for Belize has inspired others to explore this Central American nation known for its welcoming people, stunning beaches, and rich history.

She visits Belize annually and stays at her mother's house or a resort

Simone Biles holds dual citizenship in the United States and Belize, which she acquired through her mother, Nellie Cayetano Biles, who grew up in Belize before moving to the U.S. in 1973. Biles visits Belize at least once a year, mostly during the summer, and spends about five days to a week there.

Biles usually stays at a resort in San Pedro on the island of Ambergris Caye, such as Victoria House or Ramon's. However, her mother owns a house on the mainland. Biles and her family enjoy the beaches in Belize, with Biles herself being fond of swimming in the clear waters. They also go on fishing trips, catching snappers, groupers, and occasionally barracuda. They then bring their catch back to the hotel to be cooked by the chefs.

In addition to seafood, Biles and her family enjoy eating rice and beans, stewed chicken, and fry jacks for breakfast. Biles also loves the people of Belize, describing them as "very welcoming and [they] want you to have a good time." Belize holds a special place in Biles' heart, and she has even stated that she will get married there.

Biles has expressed her love for Belizean food and scenery

Simone Biles has expressed her love for Belize and has said that it is her favourite destination. She holds dual citizenship in Belize and the USA, as her biological mother, Nellie Cayetano, is from Belize. Biles has said that Belize is her second home and that she visits at least once a year with her family. She usually stays at a resort in San Pedro, a town on the island of Ambergris Caye.

Biles has said that, for her, Belize is all about the beach. She spends most of her days there hanging out by the water and going swimming. She also enjoys fishing trips with her family, where they catch snappers, groupers and sometimes barracuda. They take their catch back to the hotel and have the chefs cook it for them. Biles likes hers grilled.

In addition to seafood, Biles enjoys the rice and beans and stewed chicken that are typical of Belizean cuisine. For breakfast, she has fry jacks, which are fried pieces of dough that she puts jam on top of.

Biles has also explored more of the country beyond its beaches. She has visited ancient Mayan sites in southern Belize, including the Nim Li Punit Mayan Ruin in the Toledo District. She has also been zip-lining through the rainforest canopy and snorkelling the Belize Barrier Reef.

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