Now, if you're wondering what Simone's connection to Belize is, it's simple. Her step-Grandmother - who is also her adoptive mother is Nellie Cayetano Biles. She's the daughter of former Senator and well-known Neal Pen Road businessman Silas Cayetano. She's been bringing all her children - including Simone to Belize for years - she told us why it's home to them:..
Nellie Cayetano - Simone's Grandmother
"I still think that it's important that my children know where I'm from and that my children come back to Belize. We have been coming to Belize year after year and the boys know Belize from the time they were 1 year and a half to two years. From that time I was bringing the boys at that time to spend some time with my mother. So they know Belize well. So for them to actually talk about Belize and now the two girls and for them to feel that Belize is home, it truly is home for them and they share, I am hoping, the same pride that I do. Because when my son got married last year this was where he wanted to be married and so we call came and had his wedding here. So this was home."
"Today when I was driving here, I thought about when my father was a senator and that was in 1984 and that the first time when the UDP party won at that time and I know at that time their reign was for 4 years. My father was absolutely devastated, I still remember that."
Jules Vasquez, 7News
"How proud would your father be, the old Silas? He was quite well-known Belizean and now to see you return home and like this, as a guess of the nation."
Nellie Cayetano - Simone's Grandmother
"That is just overwhelming when I think about that. My father and my mother knew Simone, because they spent some time and Simone spent some time with them before they passed and my father still say to this day that Simone got her gymnastics from him. That's what he claims. It's just humbling. I come home and I come home all the time and this is home, but to come home and to have a daughter that's recognized and for me and my family to feel welcomed. I mean we always feel welcome to come home, but to be welcomed in the way that the country is welcoming us is overwhelming."
And after a 27 minute press conference at the Biltmore, Biles was whisked away in a motorcade through the city. She was in a towhead trailer along with Belizean athletes as they travelled south on the Northern Highway, and entered Belize City at the Belcan roundabout, where the motorcade headed unto Central American Boulevard, turned into Cemetery Road, then into Orange Street, unto Albert and then Regent Street, finishing up at the Battlefield park.
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