Pic Showing Simone Biles and Shaquille O’Neal’s Height Difference Goes Viral Again During Olympics
Simone Biles, the gymnastics powerhouse, may tower over her competitors in skill and achievement, but she appears diminutive in a playful throwback photo alongside former NBA giant Shaquille O'Neal. The image, initially posted by Biles on social media in February 2017, has resurfaced and gone viral once more amid the excitement of the 2024 Paris Olympics.
In the photo, Biles, standing at 4 feet 8 inches, is dressed in a strappy white top and a short black skirt, exuding confidence and style. Beside her, the 7-foot-1 O'Neal, clad in a suit and tie, dwarfs the Olympic champion. Biles playfully captioned the shot "hey Shaq," accompanied by a hand-wave emoji, capturing the light-heartedness of the moment.
Social media erupted with comments, many noting that Biles appeared taller in the photo due to her heels. The resurgence of the image during the Olympics sparked a fresh wave of delight among fans. "Never forget this iconic photo of Shaq and Simone Biles," tweeted DraftKings, adding emojis of a goat (representing 'Greatest of All Time') and a crying-laughing face. Another user humorously observed, "Shaquille O’Neal is two Simone Biles tall."
Commentators also highlighted Biles's extraordinary athletic abilities, contrasting them with O'Neal's limitations in gymnastics. "She has a better chance at dunking a basketball than he does of making it across the balance beam," one commenter noted. Another fan added, "And she can do flips and twists above his head!"
This isn't the first time Biles has been photographed with a significantly taller athlete. In 2016, she posed back to back with Team USA volleyball player David Lee, who stands at 6-foot-8, in a photo shared by NBC Olympics on Facebook. The caption aptly read, "Athletes come in all shapes and sizes."
As the Paris Olympics continue, the image serves as a reminder of the diverse physical attributes of athletes and the universal admiration for their talents. Peacock, owned by our parent company NBCUniversal, is streaming the Paris Olympics around the clock, providing fans with continuous coverage and access to the global athletic spectacle.