Simone Biles, a two-time Olympian and six-time Olympic medalist, made headlines recently as she withdrew from the Team and All-Around artistic gymnastics competition due to mental health challenges. Biles is the most decorated American gymnast, with a combined total of 30 Olympic and World Championship medals and is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most dominant gymnasts of all time.
During the Team competition, Biles had a shaky start, including a step out of bounds on the floor, a stumble on a beam dismount, and a dangerous missed flip while landing on the vault. As a result of these difficulties and ongoing mental health challenges, Biles made the difficult decision to withdraw from the competition, leaving her teammates, Suni Lee, Jordan Chiles, and Grace McCallum, to step up and perform in her place.
Despite Biles' absence, the team was able to secure a silver medal, with the Russian Olympic Committee taking home the gold.
Biles later shared that she was experiencing a dangerous mental block called the "twisties," which can cause a loss of spatial recognition in the air, making it difficult to pinpoint where the body is and what it needs to do to land safely. This condition can be fatal, with the risk of landing on the neck or head. Biles also faced immense pressure as one of the greatest gymnasts of all time, having won the team and individual all-around competition in vault and floor gold at the 2016 Olympics in Rio.
The combination of the delay due to Covid-19 and the weight of expectations took a toll on Biles' mental and physical health. She is currently being evaluated by her team to determine whether she will be able to return for the individual medals.
Biles' decision to prioritize her mental and physical health over the competition sparked a range of reactions from fans, professional athletes, and experienced gymnasts. While some criticized her for quitting on the team, arguing that they could have won the gold medal with her high-scoring routines, others applauded her for prioritizing safety over the sport. Many saw her struggles as a reflection of the need to prioritize mental health in professional sports.
Biles' decision to withdraw allowed her teammates to shine, with Sunisa Lee winning the Olympic all-around gold medal. Biles cheered Lee on from the sidelines, demonstrating her support for her teammates.
Ultimately, Biles is more than just a gymnast. She is a human being who is navigating the challenges of being a professional athlete in the public eye. Her decision to prioritize her mental health and well-being is an important reminder that athletes, like all of us, need to take care of their mental and physical health.
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