Simone Biles, the most decorated gymnast of all time, took a step of boldness during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The icon has walked many paths to conquer her discipline better than before. Biles and those around her held a similar aim for the previous Olympic games. However, the gymnast knew to prioritize her mental health before looking for a step higher; setting a much-needed example.

Biles’ decision to step aside due to ‘twisties’ was a reason condemned by many though not all. Keeping along, recent knowledge on the 7-time Olympic medalist’s decision put forth a needed debate on the difference marked between the importance of physical and mental health.

The thought process behind Simone Biles’ decision

During the 2020 Olympics, Simone Biles pulled out of the team finals after completing the first routine. The performance imposed upon Simone the impact of ‘twisties’- a condition where the athlete loses the sense of control when in the air. According to “Religion of Sports” a book on unheard stories of popular athletes by Gotham Chopra; spoke of what went behind the gymnast’s decision. The first thing after getting down the mats, Biles did was to call her mother stating she did not want to do something stupid.

“That’s OK. That’s okay, honey. They will do their best without you,” Simone’s mom said; reports Mirror. “You need to take care of yourself, I love you.”  Standing on a stage of value, the right support was essential for the gymnast for not all would take it well and none could understand closely. “They just think I quit… They didn’t even process it,” Biles adds. But most importantly, according to Mirror, the book claims that Simone thought ‘she might die’ if she performed a certain move. A phrase so heavily emphasizing the need for mental well-being in line with physical health.

The response the decision garnered

A naturally expected reaction to Simone Biles’ decision would encompass respect and applause. And for a larger part, the response was welcoming. The USA Gymnastics stated, “We applaud her bravery in prioritizing her well-being,” while USA Today called the decision a ‘powerful message’. Michael Phelps, Taylor Swift, Jayson Tatum, and more lauded Biles’ actions and the courage she held. As the latter two remarked Biles a ‘hero,’ Phelps, who himself faced the wrath of mental health added a heartfelt note. “I hope this is an eye-opening experience … an opportunity for us to jump on board, and to even blow this mental health thing even more wide open.” 

Also Read: What Are Twisties and How Has It Affected Gymnasts Like Simone Biles?

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The swimming icon’s note embraced more than visible, for the two mentioned above weren’t the first to face exhaustion. For starters, Biles’ decision majorly stemmed from Naomi Osaka’s stance to prioritize her well-being. Moreover, his note extended to include the 35% of elite athletes who suffer from burnout, eating disorders, anxiety, and more each year.

Cases of mental health battles in sporting realm

Apart from Simone Biles, Phelps, and Naomi Osaka, the list of athletes battling mental health stretches long.  NBA player, DeMar DeRozan was one among many who spoke up. The icon suffered depression that got the better of him. But it wasn’t too late when he realized he needed to share his story and let people know, “No matter how indestructible we look like we are, we’re all human at the end of the day.” 

Next in line, Amanda Beard, Olympic medalist in her autobiography, spoke about suffering from depression, poor self-image, and self-harm; reports Business Insider. The external and unkind validation of her self-induced thoughts pushed the swimming champion further into darkness and to retire later. Another one of the players who spoke out was Kevin Love. “My identity was gone. My emotional outlet was gone,” he stated suffering from depression. He fetched for external support to be back in control.

The summed-up need for measures

The pointers and cases described above narrate the stories to emphasize the ugly truth mental health carries. According to ZipDo,  over 30% of male and female athletes face burnout causing about 45% of them to quit entirely. In 2021, on the stages of the Olympics, Simone Biles stood as the representation of the numbers. While physical health is more visible calling for an immediate response, the interconnected factor of the two cannot go unnoticed. The urge to succeed and perform well only builds on the combination of the two. Perceivable change or not, the darkness is set to engulf unforeseen.

“More could be done,” International Olympic Committee (IOC) spokesperson stated following Simone Biles’ decision. Though the committee claims to be working on the matter, the issue demands a widespread response.

Watch this story: SIMONE BILES’ BEYOND TWISTIES: THE UNTOLD STORY BEHIND HER MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCACY