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via Reuters

via Reuters

Superstar gymnast Simone Biles has always managed to capture hearts with her moves and words. Whether it be scoring for her team or rallying for mental health, the seven-time Olympic medalist tops it all. The champion has always been open about her mental and emotional well-being.

Before she dropped out of the Tokyo Olympics, Biles took to Instagram to share her thoughts on how the Olympics weren’t easy for her. Let’s take a look back at what transpired before the Tokyo Olympics.

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Simone Biles faced pressure

Simone Biles has always been open about her feelings on social media. Days before the event, the star posted a picture of herself from the Olympics. In the caption, she confessed that her day wasn’t easy, but she got through it. Athletes face immense pressure during such times and Biles seemed to be affected by it. The caption further read, “I truly do feel like I have the weight of the world on my shoulders at times.”?

 

 

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A post shared by Simone Biles (@simonebiles)

While the Olympics seems like a huge event, with different athletes across the world coming together, the reality is a bit different. Due to the high stakes, the struggles of an athlete often go unnoticed. As Simone described in her caption, “The Olympics is no joke!”. The pressure is often hidden behind the smiles, but it ends up affecting the athlete.

Read More: ?Don?t Invite Me to Weddings?: Simone Biles Once Got Honest About Her Unseen Side

Weighed down by performance pressure

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It’s no secret what happened next – Simone Biles dropped out of the Olympics. While it came as a huge shock to many, love and support rained in for the superstar gymnast. It was confirmed that the icon wasn’t suffering from any physical injury. However, Biles suffered from ‘Twisties’ – a phenomenon that affects an athlete’s spatial awareness. This caused her to drop out of the competition.

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Biles’ decision to drop out called for a wave of athletes and celebrities to speak up about mental health awareness. Fellow gymnasts empathized and supported her decision. The team finished off with a silver medal.

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Watch This Story: Facts about Simone Biles that proves she’s the GOAT in more ways than one

Times are changing and more and more athletes are speaking up about their mental health. Simone Biles has been one of the pioneers in this matter. Hopefully, this continues and remains prevalent across different competitions.