MENTAL HEALTH

Simone Biles Withdraws From Olympics to Protect Mental Health

Gymnast Simone Biles emerged as a star athlete coming into the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. But in a shocking turn of events, the 24-year-old Olympic gold gymnast withdrew from the competition on Tuesday morning.
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Gymnast Simone Biles emerged as a star athlete coming into the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. But in a shocking turn of events, the 24-year-old Olympic gold gymnast withdrew from the competition on Tuesday morning.

The initial response was that Biles was medically unfit to perform after failing to land a vault earlier in the meet. She then went off to speak with her trainer, huddled up with her teammates, and shared the news that she would not be returning to the mat. But Biles later clarified that there were underlying reasons for her sudden departure.

“I’m ok, just super frustrated with how the night played out,” Biles reassured NBC’s Hoda Kotbe after the match. “Physically I feel good. Emotionally – that kind of varies on the time and the moment.”

Biles continued by explaining that coming into the Olympics as the “star” of the games was not easy. Between the pressures of performing as an athlete and pleasing the millions of fans watching at home, it’s no wonder that the gymnast felt the need to take a step back. Those same people watching at home are celebrating the Olympian’s decision today.

A longstanding advocate for mental health awareness in athletics, Biles defended her decision. She is just one of many athletes in recent years to do the same. Just last month, tennis star Naomi Osaka stepped away from the French Open and withdrew from Wimbledon in order to protect her mental wellbeing.

“We also have to focus on ourselves, because at the end of the day we’re human, too,” Biles stated, according to the Associated Press.

But there is a silver lining to this all, if not many. That being – the US women’s gymnastics team took home silver at the end of the competition. Despite her withdrawal, Biles remained in the gym, cheering her teammates on the entire time.

“I’ll forever be inspired by your determination to not give up and to fight through adversity! They stepped up when I couldn’t,” Biles posted to Instagram. Biles and her teammates Sunisa Lee, Grace McCallum, and Jordan Chiles posed in the photo holding up their newly won medals.

Speaking of athletes supporting one another, see what Olympic gymnast Aly Raisman about her former 2016 Olympic teammate on NBC.