Simone Biles is the Latest Gymnast to Be Featured on the Wheaties Box

When you see the name of a decorated athlete on the classic orange Wheaties box, you know they have made an impact. In fact, when it was announced that Houston native and four-time Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles would be the latest person to grace the famous cereal’s box last summer, she was referred to as “Wheaties’ newest Champion.” She’s joining the likes of Muhammad Ali and Michael Jordan in a series designed to honor trailblazing athletes.

For General Mills, the goal is to select athletes based on their accomplishments both on and off the field. They also look for champions who have a legacy and are bigger than their sport, making them a force to be reckoned with beyond the gym or track or court. “We want to feature athletes who have something important to say, and that’s what we’re looking for in our next Century Series,” Kelsey Roemhildt, a spokesperson for the brand tells KTRK.

Athletes who have appeared on the iconic boxes have gone on to become cultural icons in their own right. From Mary Lou Retton, who became the first female to win five medals in a single Olympics at the 1984 Los Angeles Games, to track and field star Caitlyn Jenner (who competed as Bruce before becoming a woman), and swimmer Michael Phelps, the list of Olympians goes on and on.

While many of the athletes I spoke to for this piece said they were thrilled and honored, they also stressed that the experience was more than just an advertisement. They spoke to the legacy and the impact the box had on American culture and society, and they named off athletes that they looked up to who had already been featured on the box. For Biles, who grew up admiring Dominique Dawes and Serena Williams, the opportunity to be featured on the box means even more to her now that she has landed in that same spot.

There are a lot of things that make her a true champion, but one thing that stands out is her advocacy for mental health reform and efforts to support children in foster care. Those are just a few of the many reasons that Wheaties chose her to be the face of their newest limited-edition box, a move that’s sure to cement her as a symbol of strength and perseverance for generations to come. The new special-edition box is out now in stores. It joins the original Century Series that kicked off this year with legendary athletes Muhammad Ali and Michael Jordan. To celebrate 100 years, Wheaties is recognizing athletes who have changed and shaped sports and culture with the Century Series. Check out the full lineup here.