Being the greatest gymnast of all time (opens in new tab) and a highly competitive Olympian is no easy task, both mentally and physically. But lucky for Biles, she had a strong support system in her family, namely her parents, Nellie and Ronald Biles. This pair of kind parents first made headlines in 2016 when they cheered on their daughter on the sidelines of the Rio Olympics.

COVID restrictions prevented them from doing the same in Japan this year, but the two remain pillars of the Biles' lives and careers. (I hope you won't burst into tears when you read Simone's sweet Instagram post dedicated to the two of them.) Here's everything we know about Simone Biles' parents, from their unique family story to what they had to say about their relationship with each other.

Simone's biological maternal grandfather, Ronald, and his wife, Nellie, adopted Simone and her sister, Adria, in 2000, when Simone was six years old. At the time, Simone and her sister had been in and out of foster care for three years. Simone's other two siblings, Tevin and Ashley, were adopted by Ronald's sister.

Simone and her family have been open about the adoption process; in 2017's Dancing with the Stars, Simone discussed her adoption story in detail, explaining that her birth mother suffered from drug and alcohol abuse and was unable to raise Simone and her siblings and was "in and I was in and out of jail," she explained.

"I didn't have a mother to run to. I remember being always hungry and scared," she said during a television appearance (opens in new tab). Nelly and Ronald told Simone and her sister to call him and Nelly "mom" and "dad" after the adoption, and she happily did so.

"My parents saved me," Simone said on DWTS. 'They set a great example for me on how to treat others, and they've been there for me since day one. I can't thank them enough."

She added, "I'm so grateful to them.

Nellie also opened up about being Simone and Adria's adoptive mother in the Facebook Watch documentary "Simone vs. Herself," saying that she had a hard time bonding with them at first.

"I remember praying for that bond," Nelly said, per Women's Health. 'Because words are the only way to tell them you love them and care for them. But one day you wake up and realize that you would do anything for these children. I would die for these children. When you develop that feeling, you know that you are truly a mother."

In a 2016 Daily Mail interview (opens in new tab), Shannon opened up about giving Simone and her siblings up for adoption and said it was a difficult decision." It was hard to give up my children, but I had to do what I had to do. But I had to." Shannon added that she sometimes had brief conversations with Simone and continued to support her and was "proud of her." Shannon also revealed that Simone's biological father, Kelvin Clemons, has not been in contact with Simone.

The couple owns a gymnastics training center called World Champions Center in Spring, Texas, where Simone also practices. The gym's main mission is to train athletes of all races and backgrounds, which is close to Simone's heart. She told Health (opens in new tab) in June, "Representation is important, and we want to inspire the next generation to pursue their passion."

Simone (as well as her fans) were upset to learn that Simone's parents would not be able to cheer her on in person during the 2021 Olympics. On her way to Tokyo, the athlete wrote on Twitter, "No time to cry on the plane, I won't be able to see my family and friends."

Her parents, however, have been vocal online in their support for their daughter. In mid-July, Nellie posted a photo of herself hugging Simone on Instagram with the caption. May the Lord continue to guide and protect you. Be the best Simone you can be. "