Simone Biles reveals awkward encounter with flight attendant

US powerhouse gymnast Simone Biles has revealed the very awkward encounter she had with flight crew on her way home from the White House.

Simone Biles’ awkward encounter with flight attendant. Picture: Instagram/SimoneBiles

Simone Biles has revealed the awkward moment a flight attendant mistook her for a child on a flight.

The 25-year-old US gymnastic powerhouse was in Washington to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, making her the youngest recipient of the prestigious award.

However, it was when she reportedly boarded a flight home to Texas, that the awkward encounter took place.

Simone Biles took to Instagram to reveal she was mistaken for a child while on a flight. Picture: Instagram/simonebiles

In an Instagram post, the Olympian said a flight attendant had given her a colouring book, thinking she was a child.

“Not the flight attendant trying to give me a colouring book when I board … I said, ‘No, I’m fine, I’m 25,’” she wrote alongside a photo making an unimpressed facial expression.

In the snap Biles held her hand to her head in apparent annoyance.

The Olympic gymnast is a petite 142cm tall. Picture: Instagram/simonebiles

While she may be 142cm, it’s a huge advantage when she’s competing against other athletes – after all she is considered one of the greatest and most dominant gymnasts of all time.

However, it appears the flight crew weren’t exactly aware of who she was and reportedly redeemed themselves by later offering her a drink.

Biles shared a clip holding a full glass with the caption: “The other flight attendant gave me a mimosa so we’re in the clear.”

YouTuber Matt Bernstein shared a screenshot of Biles’ post, which went viral on Twitter. Picture: Twitter/mattxiv

But Biles said she was still asked if she was old enough to drink when it was brought over.

The athlete’s post went viral after US influencer Matt Bernstein shared a screenshot of Biles’ flight selfie.

“I cry at the thought of a flight attendant giving Simone Biles, the most decorated gymnast in history, a colouring book,” he wrote.

To be fair I don't think they realised who she was plus the fact that this powerhouse of an athlete is very short & slim.
I've made the same mistake when staffing promotional stands. Once offered a badge to a short child until he turned and not had a deep voice but a beard too.

— Bee 🐝🇬🇧 (@BizzyBeeMee) July 10, 2022

I am 100% sure she knows who Simone Biles is. Like, 100% sure she knows the name and associates it with being an awesome gymnast. But put her in regular clothes and a different setting, I am looking at her Instagram now and i wouldn't be sure it was her.

— Gimli (@smallvillebuffy) July 11, 2022

This photo is crazy lol pic.twitter.com/C5dDeoI97I

— Baby Yoda Wine Mom (@babyyodawinemom) July 10, 2022

It has since been ‘liked’ more than 160,000 times, attracting more than 1200 comments.

“Um, I think the point is that the flight attendant should have recognised her. When I saw the pic of her I instantly knew who she was before I read the story,” one Twitter user wrote.

“Embarrassing,” wrote another. “Though to be fair, I’d say yes to a colouring book (with crayons) and I’m in my 60s.”

Another person joked that would have taken it then ordered a glass of wine.

“How does the flight attendant not know who Simone Biles is!” a third person wrote.

It comes as Biles, who has a total of seven Olympic medals, was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by US President Joe Biden on Thursday.

It is the highest honour a civilian can receive in America.

A statement from the White House read: “Simone Biles is the most decorated American gymnast in history, with a combined total of 32 Olympic and World Championship medals.

“Biles is also a prominent advocate for athletes’ mental health and safety, children in the foster care system and victims of sexual assault.”