Simone Biles And Olivia Dunne Headlined The Kentucky Derby — Why It Mattered

The 151st running of the Kentucky Derby doubled as a landmark moment for women’s gymnastics.

Simone Biles, the sport’s most decorated athlete, became the first gymnast to act as Grand Marshal. Biles was the second female athlete to hold the title after Laila Ali received the honor in 2018. As Grand Marshal, Biles led the customary “Riders Up” command to initiate the running of the 151st Kentucky Derby.

Former NCAA gymnast and social media sensation Olivia Dunne was also involved. The LSU graduate student led the “Riders Up” command for the Kentucky Oaks, held one day before the Derby.

With Biles and Dunne calling both race starts, this year’s event marked the first time both callers were female athletes (Ali received both responsibilities in 2018). It was also the first time that both callers were gymnasts.

First held in 1875, the Kentucky Derby is the longest continuously held sporting event in the U.S. Often called “the most exciting two minutes in sports,” the event draws massive viewership, with NBC reporting a record peak of 21.8 million viewers on Saturday.

While Dunne’s delivery drew mixed reactions from fans, the pair’s appearance at one of the nation’s most prominent and historic sporting events points to continued growth and visibility for women’s sports.

Though their respective fame comes from different origins, Biles and Dunne are among the most influential figures in women’s sports. Beyond the Derby, both have played outsized roles in transforming the perception and possibilities of women in sport.

Changing The Game: Sports and Mental Health

Considered by many as one of the greatest athletes of all time, Simone Biles continues to defy limits on and off the gymnastics floor.

With 11 Olympic and 30 World Championship medals, Biles stands alone as the most decorated gymnast in history, male or female. In addition to her staggering medal total, Biles has pushed the sport’s difficulty beyond what was previously considered possible.

The gymnast owns five eponymous skills which carry her name (as the first athlete to compete them successfully on the international stage). With her skills, Biles is the originator of the most difficult skills on three events: vault, beam, and floor.

Off the mat, the Olympic Champion has been a trailblazer for mental health, notably after enduring “the twisties” at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. In honor of her athletic and cultural achievements, Biles received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2022.

Just last month, Biles was awarded the Time100 Impact Award. “TIME100 Impact Awards recognize global leaders who have gone above and beyond to move their industries—and the world—forward,” the organization states.

At the event, former teammate and Olympic Champion Aly Raisman attested to Biles’ impact, telling media Biles is “deeply human” yet “undeniably superhuman.”

Though the gymnastics icon remains undecided on an LA 2028 run, Biles’ legacy in gymnastics and sport extends well beyond the Olympic rings. For Biles, that knowledge is more than enough.

“You don’t need to stand on an Olympic stage in order to have an impact,” she said at the Time100 awards. “You certainly don’t need to win medals. You just need to show up and stay true to yourself.”

Changing The Game: Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL)

While Biles inspires on the international stage, Olivia ‘Livvy’ Dunne set the standard for Name, Image, and Likeness in women’s college athletics. While nagging injuries and roster depth kept the 22-year-old from competing regularly for the LSU Tigers, she finished her tenure as a member of LSU’s 2024 National Championship-winning team, their first title in program history.

Boasting over 13 million followers across Instagram and TikTok, Dunne invested in personal branding to become the most profitable athlete in women’s college athletics.

Dunne quickly capitalized on the NCAA’s 2021 NIL ruling, signing with Vuori, a high-end activewear brand. Dunne has also partnered with notable brands like Nautica, Passes, and Motorola. In 2023, she became the first gymnast to appear on a trading card, partnering with Leaf Trading Cards (Boardroom).

In the fall of her junior year, Dunne and LSU star basketball player Angel Reese secured the cover of Sports Illustrated’s “Money Issue.” A few months later, Dunne was named an official “rookie” in the 2024 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition.

Outside of her varied individual opportunities, Dunne has extended NIL opportunities to NCAA women’s athletes. In 2023, she introduced The Livvy Fund, an initiative to “provide LSU female athletes with exclusive industry tips and connections.”

In 2023, The Livvy Fund secured NIL deals for eight LSU gymnasts through a partnership with Accelerator Active Energy. The following year, Dunne facilitated partnerships for Aalyah Del Rosario, Kylie Coen, and Sydney Clemens at Sherman & Balhoff Orthodontics, a local dentist.

“I wanted to give back to the other student athletes and the university that’s given me so much,” Dunne said to 225.

Biles and Dunne represent different but pivotal change points for women’s sports.

Though her college gymnastics career has come to a close, Dunne’s impact on the individual profitability of women’s college athletics is undeniable. And while Biles continues to debate her 2028 plans, the Olympic Champion’s impact on athlete well-being and the sport of gymnastics will endure for years to come.

With up to 21.8 million viewers watching (NBC), gymnastics and the marketability of women’s athletics took center stage at the 151st Kentucky Derby.

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