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‘It’s Not Taboo Anymore’- Rory McIlroy Backs Simone Biles’ Decision to Withdraw From Tokyo Olympics 2020

Published 07/29/2021, 2:30 PM EDT

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via Reuters

The Tokyo Olympics 2020 is currently underway and has had a captivating start. However, Simone Biles, a four-time Olympic gold medalist, has pulled out of the tournament to focus on her mental health. And since then, the mental health talk has grabbed some attention. However, Rory McIlroy has shown his support to Simone Biles by backing her decision. 

Simone Biles, the most successful US gymnast in history, pulled out from Tokyo Olympics 2020 after one rotation of the women’s team final on Tuesday.

And many high-profile people have praised the 24-year-old’s brave decision. And McIlroy, who is currently in Japan representing Ireland in the men’s golf competition, has extended his support to Simone Biles.

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“I live in the United States, and anything that came on the TV about the Olympics, it was Simone Biles,” McIlroy said. “You got 300-whatever-million [people in the USA], so the weight on her shoulders is massive.”

via Reuters

Rory McIlroy has been pretty vocal about mental health issues, even in the past as well. He had extended his support to the young tennis player Naomi Osaka, and that’s what he quoted here. 

“Just as I thought Naomi Osaka was right to do what she did at the French Open and take that time off and get herself in the right place, I one hundred percent agree with what Simone is doing as well.”

“I am glad that at least the conversation has started,” says Rory McIlroy

via Reuters

The four-time major championship winner continued saying, “Some people just have thicker skin than some others and can maybe just handle it a little better and are predisposed to handle it better. But some people have to know when enough is enough, and I’m glad that at least the conversation has started.”

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He further said that mental health isn’t taboo anymore, and we should speak about it as a normal thing. Rory also named a few athletes who have come out and spoke about the issue.

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“There’s been a few athletes that have really spoken up, Michael Phelps, Kevin Love, Naomi Osaka, Simone Biles. I mean, the conversation it’s not taboo anymore.

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“People can talk about it just as somebody has a knee or elbow injury if you don’t feel 100 percent right mentally, that is an injury too.”

‘Part of Something Bigger’- Rory McIlroy Thrilled With Golf Debut at Tokyo Olympics 2020

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Amey Kulkarni

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Amey Kulkarni is a Golf writer at EssentiallySports. He is currently pursuing his Bachelor’s degree in mass media. Before joining EssentiallySports he used to write articles on Golf and Cricket on his personal blog cricgolf.
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