United Airlines Flight Attendant Mistook Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipient And Olympic Gold Medalist Simone Biles For A Child, Offering Her A Coloring Book

A United Airlines flight attendant allegedly mistook champion Olympian Simone Biles for a child on her way back from receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom last week.

Biles, only 4’8”, was offered a coloring book as she boarded. 

At only 25, Biles was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, a right not shared by many. It’s given only to the best of the best; On her way home from getting it – Biles

posted a selfie to Instagram – that’s since been reposted to Twitter – of her sitting in her seat with her lips pursed. The caption read, “not the flight attendant trying to give me a coloring book when I board…. I said, ‘no, I’m good. I’m 25.’”

The repost featured the hilarious tagline, “[I] ’m crying at the thought of a flight attendant giving Simone Biles, the most decorated gymnast in history, a coloring book because she is 4’8.”

She quickly cleared the air, adding that another attendant offered her a mimosa in juxtaposition.

“The other flight attendant gave me mimosas, so we’re in the clear. She did ask if I was old enough to drink,” she wrote in the caption of a second photo – showing off an in-flight mimosa in her hand. 

The comments continued to highlight how United Airlines used to sponsor Team USA and welcomed Biles in a few Instagram posts. People pointed out how it only makes it more embarrassing that they didn’t recognize her. 

The whole exchange took place on a flight from Washington D.C to Texas – where Biles lives.

She’s the youngest person to be given

the Presidential Medal of Freedom, a right President Joe Biden praised her. In her award ceremony, Biden praised her for advocating in the realms of foster care, sexual assault, and mental health care. He said, [Biles] turn[s] personal pain into a greater purpose, to stand up and speak for those who cannot speak for themselves.”