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Reuters

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Reuters

Simone Biles’s withdrawal from Tokyo Olympics 2020 was unexpected. After her exit, fans came to know more about the gymnastics world. Simone Biles took an important step towards her mental health, showcasing its importance for athletes.

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Olympians have a lot of pressure on their shoulders to produce their best. Simone Biles, known for her perfect landing, had an awful fall in the team event. Biles, later on, explained to her team that she had ‘twisties.’

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Simone Biles faced twisties at her Tokyo Olympics 2020 practice

Every gymnastics fan saw Biles take turns in the air, and expected to see the perfect landing. However, she fell awfully on the ground and left the match. Everyone thought she faced an injury, but it was something unknown to fans but common in the gymnastics world.

‘Twisties’ is a moment of mental pressure, with leads to a blackout during the landing. Simone Biles lost control of her body and fell to the ground. Albeit her landing was not adverse, and she was safe.

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But Simone Biles knew if she would continue her, she would get injured. A Twitter user posted a throwback video of 2002 showcasing an example of what could have happened to Biles.

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Biles then replied to the tweet saying “oh yeah, it happened more times than I would’ve wanted in practice at the game.” Her reply puts light on how she was even struggling in her practice sessions and took the right step to withdraw.

Sim0ne Biles overcame twisties to win a medal in the balance beam event

When everyone thought Simone Biles’s campaign was over at Tokyo Olympics 2020, she made a comeback. In the balance beam event, Simone Biles represented the team USA.

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Even after a break and stressful year, Biles clinched the bronze medal in the event. Taking her medal tally up to seven Olympic medals and becoming the most decorated US gymnasts.

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Team USA secured six medals at the mega-event in artistic gymnastics. Even after their strongest athlete, not competing, other members did not disappoint their nation.

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Biles’s journey at Tokyo Olympics inspired many athletes around the world. Every athlete who used to hamper their mental health under pressure might get the courage to take a step back when needed.

Also read: ?The Girls Stepped Up?- Simone Biles Reacts to her Teammates? Performance at Tokyo Olympics

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Shreya Verma

609 Articles

Shreya Verma is a US Sports Content Strategist at EssentiallySports, with a focus on Olympic sports and athlete storytelling, covering beats like tennis, gymnastics, basketball, track and field, wrestling, and more. A qualified National Level air pistol shooter, she brings the unique perspective of both an athlete and a journalist to her work. Over the past four years at EssentiallySports, she has covered some of the biggest sporting stages, from managing the Olympic Sports desk during the Winter Olympics 2022 to spearheading the US Open 2025 coverage and content strategy. In 2024, she was on the ground in Paris for the Summer Olympics, where she interviewed legends and rising stars, including Carl Lewis, Laurie Hernandez, Fred Kerley, Noah Lyles, Quincy Hall, and Grant Holloway, who memorably offered her the chance to try on his gold medal. She also connected with icons and fan favorites such as Tom Brady, Katie Ledecky, Tara Davis & Hunter Woodhall, Andy Murray, Ilona Maher, Kevon Williams, Jonathan Owens, and Neeraj Chopra, while capturing emotional family perspectives from Nellie Biles, Jordan Chiles’ mother, Suni Lee’s mother, and Katie Ledecky’s brother, Michael. Her journalism is marked by authenticity, access, and a deep passion for highlighting perseverance and human connection in sports. Inspired by Olympic champions like Allyson Felix and Vincent Hancock, Shreya continues to carve her path as a storyteller.

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