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‘Brady Won Games Where He’s Thrown 3 INTs’ – Sports Analyst on the Insane Pressure on Simone Biles & Other Olympic Athletes

Published 07/28/2021, 8:00 AM EDT

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via Reuters

There’s a lot of talk going on about US Olympic medal hopeful Simone Biles backing out of an event final her team was competing in. After just one round, the four-time Olympic gold medalist pulled out citing her mental health as the reason. 

While many came forward to console and applaud the gymnast for taking the step, criticism also followed. But what the naysayers fail to understand is the immense pressure that comes along with representing your country at the Olympic Games.

Biles, 24, is already regarded as one of the most dominant gymnasts of all time. Brining the US international glory on countless occasions, the young athlete has become a global phenomenon. 

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But with all the fame comes unreal expectations. Something that perhaps ended up getting the better of Simone Biles. Withdrawing from the individual all-around competition at the Tokyo Games to focus on her mental well-being, the athlete has taken a bold move. 

One that sports analyst Colin Cowherd couldn’t help but applaud given the unimaginable success the athlete has already achieved.  

Simone Biles still a champion in the eyes of many

During a segment of his show The Herd, sports analyst Colin Cowherd provided some perspective for those who criticized Simone Biles for backing out of her event on Wednesday. 

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“Simone Biles has 27 gold medals in the Olympics and World Championships. She’s 24, she’s the greatest gymnast in the history of the world… She had a brief moment where she wasn’t in the right space,” said Cowherd.

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Cowherd went on to remind everyone that even Michael Phelps, the winningest Olympian of all-time too had to battle his demons at several stages of his illustrious career.  

“Michael Phelps talked about suicide and retired twice. When Michael Phelps left swimming, the first time retired, he said, ‘I can’t take it. I don’t want it. I’ve got to get away from the sport.’ It was eating him alive. He admits it.”

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via Reuters

Representing one’s country at the grandest stage of them all, Cowherd said that the situation is much different for athletes like Biles when compared to other US sports stars such as Tom Brady.

“The pressure for these athletes, these are not basketball players, that they got a game tomorrow… Tom Brady’s won games in which he’s thrown three interceptions. You get 90 seconds on a global stage wearing an American uniform,” he added.

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Perhaps there are no better role models for the hundreds of young fans watching these athletes give it their all, than those who place their mental health above public expectation.

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Written by:

Shivayan Roy

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Shivayan Roy is currently an NFL writer at EssentiallySports. After completing his Masters Diploma in Journalism from the Asian College of Journalism, Roy functioned as a reporter for Goal.com and extensively covered the FIFA U-17 World Cup.
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