Simone Biles has etched her name in gymnastics history with her consistent success in almost all the competitions she has participated in. But things were not smooth for the Americans.
Biles has withdrawn from multiple events at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo to prioritize her mental health. She quit competing on the team, all-around, uneven bars, floor exercise, and vault after experiencing “twists,” a phenomenon in which a gymnast’s body and mind don’t synchronize to execute elements while in the air.
Undeterred by this setback, she showed resilience and spoke about the importance of prioritizing mental health. During an interview on NBC’s Today Show on October 21, 2021, Biles stated that she was intimidated by performing the gymnastics elements but did not rule out the option of competing in elite competitions due to her love for the sport.
“I’m still afraid to do gymnastics,” she expressed. “We’re going through our own things. It’s hard. And with the twist…it’ll come back.”
“I’m grateful it wasn’t someone else but me because I know I’m strong enough and I can get back on my feet and I’ll be okay with the right help.”
“To do something I’ve done forever and not be able to do it because of everything I’ve been through is crazy because I love the sport so much. I don’t think people understand the magnitude of what I’ve been through. For so many years, I’ve been through everything I’ve been through, and I’ve shown it. I’m proud of myself.” .
Three summers before the Tokyo Olympics, the 26-year-old confirmed her potential as a promising gymnast by winning four gold medals at the 2016 Olympics in Brazil. I dominated the team exercises, individual all-around exercises, vault and floor exercises. Moreover, she also bagged a bronze medal in the balance beam competition.
A look at Simone Biles’ performance following her return to elite gymnastics
