Simone Biles sent shock waves through the Olympic world after withdrawing from the ongoing Tokyo Olympics. After withdrawing from the team event, she later withdrew from the individual all-around event as well, citing the need to focus on her mental health.
In fact, the 24-year-old wasn’t aware of her position mid-air during her vault performance. Despite that, she landed without picking up any form of serious injury. With the gymnast receiving widespread support, pop singer Justin Bieber took to social media to support Biles’ decision.
Justin Bieber shares post supporting Simone Biles after Olympics withdrawal
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Biles arrived in Tokyo as the defending Olympic champion in the vault, balance beam, and individual all-around disciplines. In addition, she was also a part of the team event’s reigning Olympic champion, Team USA.
The vault is Biles’ specialty. So, the world was left stunned when they saw the 24-year-old show a lack of awareness during her performance on the vault. Although she withdrew midway through the team event, Team USA rallied to win silver, conceding the gold medal to Russia.
After Naomi Osaka earlier this year, Biles became the latest high-profile athlete to withdraw citing mental health issues. While fans gave divided opinions on her withdrawal, Bieber wrote a lengthy post on Instagram, saying no one would understand the pressure she shouldered in Tokyo.
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He wrote,?“Nobody will ever understand the pressures you face! I know we don?t know each other but I?m so proud of the decision to withdraw. It?s as simple as – what does it mean to gain the whole world but forfeit your soul.
“Sometimes our no?s are more powerful than our yes?s.”
READ MORE: Here?s Who Will Replace Simone Biles at the Tokyo Olympics 2020 All-Around Final
Bieber relates Biles’ withdrawal to his own in 2017
In 2016, Bieber embarked on a world tour to promote his album, titled ‘Purpose’. After spending a year on tour, the Canadian canceled his last few shows because of mental health issues of his own.
In the post he wrote for Biles, he admitted that withdrawal was the best decision he made while being proud of Biles.
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“When what you normally love starts to steal your joy it?s important we take a step back to evaluate why,” wrote Bieber.
“People thought I was crazy for not finishing the purpose tour but it was the best thing I could have done for my mental health!”
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While Biles qualified for other individual finals, her participation in those finals is highly doubtful after her withdrawal from the individual all-around final.
WATCH STORY: WOW! Here Are the Most Epic All-Around Routines Performed by Simone Biles at Rio Olympics