A couple of minutes after Simone Biles’ warm-up vault yesterday, she made her way out of the mats. By the time she came back, Team USA announced on Twitter that the gymnast pulled out of the Team All-around finals citing medical reasons.
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Athletes and prominent figures sent their prayers and best wishes to Simone Biles on Twitter. Within an hour of the news breaking out, #SimoneBiles started trending on Twitter.
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RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – AUGUST 16: Simone Biles of the United States competes during the Women’s Floor Final at Rio Olympic Arena on August 16, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Twitter supports Simone Biles
Athletes, former athletes, TV presenters, radio show hosts, and even the former First Lady showed their love for America’s greatest gymnast.
A great lesson to all of us: Sometimes it’s OK to take a back seat, even at the most important meeting. #SimoneBiles #NaomiOsaka theguardian.com/sport/2021/jul…
https://twitter.com/itsafronomics/status/1420055746906103808?s=20
Knowing when to quit is a winning move. #SimoneBiles
Simone Biles was the first person to walk across and congratulate the Russian Olympic Committee on their gold medal 🥇 That's class ❤ bbc.in/3iQF6lx #bbcolympics #tokyo2020 #SimoneBiles
https://twitter.com/CatSBouvier/status/1420203479327551488?s=20
Grateful for the gift of #SimoneBiles and @naomiosaka who are clear examples for my daughters that excellence does NOT equal being a martyr. Àse 🙏🏾
"It's been really stressful this Olympic games." Simone Biles explains her withdrawal from the women’s gymnastics team final. #SimoneBiles
Today is not a day to lament Simone Biles' absence from the Olympic Team, it is to celebrate her presence on the planet: one that she makes better, one she brings beauty to, one that she does not need to hold up to be called a winner. johnpavlovitz.com/2021/07/27/sim… #SimoneBiles #Simone
We 👏 love 👏 to 👏 see 👏 it. 👏 #GOAT #SimoneBiles
Simone Biles was pulled out of the women's gymnastics team final, but remained on the floor to cheer on her #TeamUSA teammates. #SimoneBiles
https://twitter.com/clockoutwars/status/1420010659119607814?s=20
It’s sad that people even feel they are positioned to question the choices #SimoneBiles makes about her mental and physical health.
All of the hate that @Simone_Biles is getting just shows that we have a long way to go in reducing the stigma of mental health. Had she broke her leg none of y’all would be saying anything. #SimoneBiles is the goat put respect on her name
Simone Biles is the only Nassar abuse survivor still competing in the sport. She has pushed herself to her absolute limits physically, mentally and emotionally — not for USA gymnastics, but because she can. Nothing but love for the GOAT #SimoneBiles today and always.
Leading to this summer, Simone Biles couldn’t wait for the #Tokyo2020 Olympics. Not for them to start. For them to end. The weight she carried as the face of the sport had become a burden. And the pressure on her body had become what she called “unreal." nyti.ms/3BVil8P
We all can learn from #SimoneBiles. It’s ok to say you aren’t ok and take a breather. Also cheer on your team, while your on the bench. A hero we all need to represent. #USA #gymnastics #MentalHealthMatters
#SimoneBiles is an icon. Truly the GOAT. But also human and deserves the same support from her country right now as she gets when she is collecting gold medals. Rest up, Simone! #Olympics
We can all learn from #SimoneBiles, especially activists: 1. Stop when you're burnt out or unwell 2. Stop before you hurt yourself 3. Cheer on others doing the same work when you're not able to 4. Ignore the haters! She doesn't owe you or any of us anything. So proud of her:)
The idea that some believe that showing your vulnerabilities publicly is somehow ‘soft’ is just ridiculous. I’m so thankful that loved ones close to me helped me to get out of that way of thinking from my upbringing b/c it made me a better man #SimoneBiles
For those of us who daily fight our battles with mental health, #SimoneBiles is reminding us all that we are worth choosing: over obligation, over role, over expectation, over whatever it is that tells us we are second. #Simone johnpavlovitz.com/2021/07/27/sim…
When it comes to @Simone_Biles , can we all just pause a moment and take a beat. This is a decorated Olympic athlete, who has endure more pressure and expectations than almost anyone. #Tokyo2020 #SimoneBiles
#SimoneBiles is truly the GOAT, but four other letters surely apply too: HERO.
Simone Biles pulled out of the women’s gymnastics team final earlier. "I just felt like it would be a little bit better to take a backseat, work on my mindfulness and I knew that the girls would do an absolutely great job and I didn't want to risk the team a medal," she said
"People who refuse to decimate their minds and bodies for my entertainment and pleasure are failures," is not the hot take you think it is. #SimoneBiles
Kobe hit two free throws with a torn Achilles ... Kerri Strug nailed a vault landing on a broken ankle.
#SimoneBiles is carrying the entire nation on her back and representing USAG, an organization that failed her and untold others by letting Larry Nassar abuse young athletes for years. I'd say none of us are in a position to judge her actions on the mat. #Olympics
Simone Biles just took a stand for every little girl out there who has held back tears, pretended not to be injured, in pain, and mentally suffering, and had to put on a brave face and do just one more routine for their coach. Thank you #SimoneBiles.
You know what’s underrated? Holding back. We praise athletes all the time for putting in “1 more rep” or “playing when it hurts.” Yet what #SimoneBiles did in withdrawing from the Finals took more strength & mental discipline than pushing ever could. & that’s why she’s the 🐐
It’s not the medal count, it’s the mettle that counts. Whoa. #Olympics #SimoneStrong #SimoneBiles
Watch out - keyboard warrior Cassidy doesn't have to work until 2pm Tokyo time and is READY to battle anyone who's upset with #SimoneBiles today.
the audacity some people have to tell a 6X Olympic medalist what SHE should have done… 🤣 come on now #SimoneBiles #Olympics
Very few people who have ever walked this planet have even an inclination of what it’s like to be #SimoneBiles She deserves nothing but gratitude and support. 🙏
Simone Biles: "I'm sorry. I love you guys, but you're gonna be just fine." "You guys have trained your whole entire life for this, it's fine. I've been to an Olympics, I'll be fine. This is your first — you go out there and kick ass, okay?"
we love you and we are with you 🇺🇸 @Simone_Biles
Bravo @naomiosaka and @Simone_Biles You are showing such courage in speaking out for ALL young athletes who experience nerves, stress, expectations and pressure. This is a very profound moment in sports. Thank you.
.@Simone_Biles drew a boundary for herself and her health on the world stage. This is real superhuman strength, setting an example for all of us.
Am I good enough? Yes, I am. The mantra I practice daily. @Simone_Biles, we are proud of you and we are rooting for you. Congratulations on the the silver medal, Team @USA! 🎊
If I were ever suddenly physically unable to perform my duties on the bridge of the Enterprise, despite being an experienced Star Fleet helmsman, the best thing I could do for my *crew is check myself into Sick Bay. That would be the right thing to do for all. #SimoneBiles
Michael Phelps discussing Simone is what we all need to hear. This is coming from greatest Olympic athlete of all time. #Phelps #Simone #MentalHealthMatters
Is it that hard to be supportive and empathetic to what others are going through? This is someone’s daughter and her health your referring to. Wonder if he has kids and how he would feel as a parent someone talking about his kids this way. Cause I’d be DAMNED. Simone is a hero!
I’ve been thinking of #SimoneBiles all day. So very sorry she wasn’t feeling her best. She showed true leadership in taking herself out of competition in order for her team to have a chance to medal. Sending her and the team love & support. Congratulations to #TeamUSA! 🥈
Biles received support from the world over, praising her decision. Now, the world will wait and watch to see if she will be ready to return and take part in the Individual events and silence all her haters.
Biles has always been and will continue to be a role model for all young aspiring athletes. She has set the standards that will be followed for years to come. i.e. to prioritize your own well-being over everything else.
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