President Joe Biden on Thursday presented the nation's highest civilian honour, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, to 17 people, including gymnast Simone Biles and soccer player Megan Rapinoe. "Today, she adds to her medal count," Biden said as he introduced Biles, a former foster child whose 32 Olympic and World Championship medals make her the most decorated U.S.
gymnast in history. "I don't know how you're going to find room for another medal," Biden joked. The 25-year-old is an advocate for athletes' mental health, foster care children and sexual assault victims.
She's also the youngest person to ever receive the medal, Biden said. Rapinoe, the Olympic gold medallist and two-time Women's World Cup soccer champion, captains the OL Reign in the National Women's Soccer League.
The Democratic president, who took office at a critical point during the coronavirus pandemic, also honoured Sandra Lindsay, the Queens, New York, nurse who was the first person to be vaccinated against COVID-19 outside of clinical trials during a live television appearance in December 2020.