'Mental health' behind Simone Biles' shock Olympic team final exit

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Agence France-Presse
July 27, 2021

A tearful Simone Biles said "mental health concerns" were behind her shock withdrawal from the team final on Tuesday with the superstar gymnast's participation in the rest of the Tokyo Olympics now uncertain.

The 24-year-old American arrived in Japan as one of the headline acts of the pandemic-postponed 2020 Games, her diminutive frame shouldering an immense weight of expectation as she pursued a record-equalling nine Olympic titles.

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"I have to do what's right for me and focus on my mental health and not jeopardize my health and my wellbeing," Biles said, with her teammates gathered beside her.

"I just don't trust myself as much as I used to, and I don't know if it's age. I'm a little bit more nervous when I do gymnastics," she admitted.

"I feel like I'm also not having as much fun, and I know that this Olympic Games, I wanted it to be for myself," she said, as she began to cry, and she was comforted by her teammates.

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https://www.rawstory.com/mental-health-behind-simone-biles-shock-olympic-team-final-exit/

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This is too bad. I wish her well.

[RANDYWILDMAN]

1. Hope she gets the help she needs

[Cracklin Charlie]

2. You're still the goat, Biles.

Take all the time and space you need.

[Baitball Blogger]

6. +1

[nolabear]

3. They reflect the world's suffering. We're wounded, tired, disillusioned.

We’re sick, sad, afraid for us all. Athletes—and today we see police as well—are human and need support, health, community, things worth competing for. They also are terribly harmed by the public’s ability to harass and throw hatred at them.

The US is not dominating these games, and for good reason. We are so deeply harmed.

[luvs2sing]

8. So sad..

and so true.

[roamer65]

4. She needs to take time and recooperate.

There was and is a LOT of pressure on her.

She has done well.

[spooky3]

5. Simone, you're wonderful. Take the time and get the care you need. Nt

[snowybirdie]

7. I've always thought

The Olympics should be for young athletes. Should only be able to appear for one, or at the most, two times. But media and money keeps these wonderful athletes trying to compete over decades. So much pressure is bad for them all. They are only human!

[2naSalit]

9. So much pressure...

She's right to do what she feels is best for her. The weight of expectation is only tolerable for so long. I hope she regains her self confidence in whatever she chooses. She's the best, she knows it as does the world and it may be that it's really enough for her. Perhaps being at this point at the Olympics, made it real for her too.

[bahboo]

10. she does incredibly dangerous routines...

and has to be totally focused. She is doing the right thing and deserves everyone's support...

[zipplewrath]

11. That's what I'm hearing

Some variation of "lost her nerve" or "becoming aware of the diminishing margin of error". This Olympics is a year late, which may be a year later than she felt able to maintain some margin of safety.

[DenaliDemocrat]

12. I'm sure her body is betraying her a bit

Wear and tear is real. I was a very good power lifter at one time and had a real shot at turning pro. Maintaining that kind of level is really hard. Little nicks and dings add up and when the margin for error is tiny…

[DVRacer]

13. She is still dealing with sexual trauma

Netflix has a doc Athlete A about Larry Nassar
She has been through hell all those ladies have as young girls. I suggest if you can watch it the ending where the victims are able to read their stories is very emotional.