Simone Biles shocked the world as she decided to withdraw from the Artistic Gymnastics team finals at the Tokyo Olympics. The American, highly favoured for an all-gold sweep, sat out and watched as her team won the silver medal, losing out to a near-flawless performance from the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC). 

While many suspected injuries, Biles later revealed it was for mental health concerns. She may have found the pressure too overbearing and hence decided that it was best for the team that she stepped aside rather than costing them the medal. 

Most of the fanbase has stepped out and shown its support to Simone Biles. Mental health, a strong yet unspoken issue amongst athletes, was brought to light. “Athletes are Human Beings first” was trending on social media, which bluntly led many to recall an earlier incident. 

Sha’Carri Richardson pointed out her similarity with Simone Biles

Sha’Carri Richardson was suspended ahead of the Tokyo Olympics this year due to the consumption of marijuana. She tested positive for the same after the Olympic trials held in Eugene, Oregon.

The athlete cited mental health reasons and even revealed that she had lost her biological mother shortly before the trials. The marijuana, according to Richardson, was used to reduce her anxiety and cope with the pain.

Trending

Worried Coaches Denied Simone Biles’ Paris Olympics Appeal After Twisties Trauma

April 19, 2024 02:30 PM EDT

‘Thought Charlie Was the Real Deal’: Tiger Woods’s Son Taunted by Golf World as Rival Prodigy Steals the Show

April 19, 2024 11:30 AM EDT

“Jamie F**ked Up”- Fans React as Joe Rogan and Tucker Carlson’s JRE Episode Is Deleted in Minutes

April 19, 2024 03:05 PM EDT

Silencing Nike Chaos, Sha’Carri Richardson’s Historic Move With Sprite Puts Her in 96-Year-Old Inner Circle for Olympics

April 18, 2024 10:20 PM EDT

“See It on Camera”: Cody Rhodes Reveals Roman Reigns’ Unscripted Three-Word Line During WrestleMania Match

April 19, 2024 12:09 PM EDT

Get instantly notified of the hottest Olympics stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.

Follow Us

Furthermore, she claims to have used it two weeks before the trials, but the mere presence of it in her body was grounds for disqualification.

Sha’Carri Richardson took to Twitter to remind fans of this fact. “I’ll say it again, I am human,” she reiterated, responding to the significant media attention the Biles scenario is gaining. 

Mental health remains a gaping issue in sports today

The Richardson controversy certainly did put a spotlight on Marijuana’s position in the world of athletes. The USADA is trying to convince the World Anti-Doping Agency to relax its policy on such drugs that are considered anxiety-relieving by many. 

However, Sha’Carri Richardson did come under fire for breaking a known law, for which she accepted full responsibility. Biles, on the other hand, was praised for realizing their dangers and averting any further damage to herself. 

Only time will tell if she does decide to continue in the individual events or not. The Tokyo dream has turned into a nightmare for Simone Biles and a creeping issue in sports has once again made it to the spotlight. 

“It Broke My Heart”- Michael Phelps Reflects on Simone Biles’ Upsetting Tokyo Olympics 2020 Fallout