Simone Biles felt she was in her physical prime ahead of the Tokyo Olympics. Yet, a feeling of unease took over as Biles ran up to the vault springboard. A short while later, the Olympic favorite withdrew from the competition. While the 27-year-old pulling out of Tokyo 2020 made international headlines, then-rising star Olivia Dunne could perfectly relate to the gymnastics legend.

Done discussed the hotly debates decision barely a month removed from the incident with Barstool Sports’ Dave Portnoy, Josh Richards & Bri Chickenfry. Appearing on the BFF Podcast, Livvy Dunne explained that twisties were a “scary” experience for gymnasts. “I mean most gymnasts go through it at least once in their career. I have.” Dunne revealed to the podcast hosts.

While Simone Biles overcame the worst of it and even returned to win bronze on the balance beam, Dunne highlighted just how much effort it must have required. “It took me like weeks to get rid of it,” said the LSU gymnastics icon, to everyone’s surprise. “It’s like a mental block, but you don’t know how many flips you’re doing in the air,” Olivia Dunne told the hosts.

The 2024 NCAA champion then explained why Biles made a wise choice in withdrawing. “Simone goes so high on all of her stuff and if I mean if she doesn’t know where she is, then that could be like really dangerous. So I guess It is better that she did pull out because you don’t wanna get hurt when you’re at the Olympics. That would be horrible,” explained the LSU Tigers star.

Olivia Dunne’s analysis of the situation may have been spot on, as seven-time Olympians like Simone Biles often face high risks. In fact, Biles’ signature vault, the Yurchenko double pike—also known as the Biles II—is notorious for being one of the riskiest moves in gymnastics. Simone herself has admitted to feeling scared to attempt the vault, even when she is in peak condition.

“Most of the time I’m just trying not to die… Every time you do it, you are scared,” the 27-year-old revealed in Netflix Simone Biles Rising Part 1. However, Livvy didn’t just understand the stakes correctly, even their description of the ailment are quite similar.

Olivia Dunne and Simone Biles had a similar experience, only the stakes were different

“It doesn’t feel comfortable; I have no idea where I am, but I’m twisting, praying I land on my feet,” the seven-time Olympic gold medalist said on the Call Your Daddy Podcast in April. Looking back to how Dunne described the twisties as “an airplane not knowing up from down,” shows you how similar their experiences were as gymnasts.

However, while they suffered the same issue, the stakes couldn’t be any higher for Simone Biles. While Olivia Dunne could take a week to recover from the twisties, Biles couldn’t. The gymnast couldn’t even calm down. “I thought America hated me,” she said during the podcast. The mental toll of the ordeal nearly drove Biles away from gymnastics for good.

The backlash she received after pulling out of the Olympics only compounded those feelings. Piers Morgan, who was one of her vocal critics, even apologized to Biles after her redemption in Paris. Yet, in 2021, Biles’ world came crashing down. “Never pictured going to another Olympics,” she admitted after making the Olympic team in 2024. Thankfully, it was the faith she received from fellow gymnasts, such as Olivia Dunne, that kept the 27-year-old going.