Simone Biles on Mental Health

[Jilly_in_VA]

Simone Biles, who made a triumphant, bronze medal-winning return Tuesday after withdrawing from previous Olympic events, has become a model for mental health awareness.

Biles, the most decorated active gymnast in the world and a survivor of sexual abuse by former USA Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar, prioritized her well-being over an audience hungry for her performance, withdrawing from the team final and the individual all-around competition because she had "to do what’s right for me and focus on my mental health."

(snip)

On withdrawing at the Olympics

“We also have to focus on ourselves, because at the end of the day, we’re human, too,” Biles said. “So, we have to protect our mind and our body, rather than just go out there and do what the world wants us to do.”

On dealing with loss

"Two days ago, I woke up and my aunt unexpectedly passed, and it wasn't any easier being here at the Olympic Games," Biles told reporters after placing in the beam event, per the official Olympics website. "At the end of the day, people don't understand what we are going through."

https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/health-wellness/2021/08/03/simone-biles-wins-bronze-her-most-powerful-mental-health-quotes/5452785001
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I went through all kinds of stuff when I was her age. I can't imagine doing it in front of the whole world........

[dlk]

1. Biles continues to be a trailblazer and role model

I can’t wait to see where she ascends to next!

[marble falls]

2. Plus a member of her family passed during this Olympic. Simone Biles has nothing to explain ...

... to anyone. We all need to be a little more like Simone Biles and screw anyone who can't get that. I think she's a truly great person that we will be hearing from long after she trades in the talc and resin bottle.

I wish her only the best because the best seems to be where she belongs!

G*d continue to give her the strength to ignore the morons.

[SheltieLover]

3. Well stated!

The "twisties" sound horrifying.

This from a person who has to have 1 finger touching a treadmill at a moderate walking pace due to a vision problem. Without touching the treadmill, I'm disoriented. 😊

I applaud Simone's dedication to excellence & the strength it must have taken to withdraw to protect herself!

[LetMyPeopleVote]

4. Simone Biles 'shows how much gymnastics has changed'

As a Texan, we are very proud of Simone

Link to tweet

Biles' decision to withdraw from all but the balance beam finals events at the Tokyo games "simply wasn't an option in 1996," Moceanu says.

"Having a choice — it changes everything."

Like many athletes, she applauded Biles's decision to step back from Olympics events after the gymnast became deeply disoriented on a vault during the team qualifiers. "It's not worth risking your body and your mind," Moceanu says.

"Good for her to step up recognise it and say, 'I am unsure of myself right now I do not feel safe, nor do I want to jeopardise Team USA and a medal because if I keep doing what I just did on the vault, that's not going to end well.'"

Today, Moceanu is an advocate for gymnasts and has testified before the US Senate Judiciary Committee in support of a bill to protect young athletes.

She now coaches other gymnasts in her own camp in Ohio, and is hopeful that Biles' experience is part of a positive change in how gymnasts are treated.