Simone Biles Uncomfortable With Support Amid ‘Quitter’ Allegations: “Tried to Put Me on This Pedestal as a Mental Health Advocate”

Simone Biles has carved her name in history by dominating the sport of gymnastics. She faced the highest highs and the lowest lows while on this journey. The 2021 Tokyo Olympics were one such low for the queen that rattled her world. When Biles exited the pinnacle event, she faced a dichotomy of opinions. While many labeled her as a “quitter,” many others half hailed her as a “mental health advocate”.

In a recent eyebrow-raising interview, the gymnastics queen shared that, despite the support, the situation made her uncomfortable. But an intriguing question arises: why would an outpouring of support evoke such a reaction from the gymnastics icon?

Simone Biles discusses how the support she received made her uncomfortable

In an interview with Vanity Fair Simone Biles opened up in ways like never before. Sharing her journey in the sport, an intriguing moment stood out when she shared details about the controversial 2021 Tokyo Olympics. At the Tokyo Olympics, Simone Biles grappled with the “Twisties” while attempting the Amanar on vault, ultimately leading to her withdrawal from the games. Simone told Vanity Fair, “Of course, you have all the *ssh*l*s that are like, ‘You’re a quitter,’ and they just ran with that.” But while many dissed her, the other half “tried to put me on this pedestal as a mental health advocate.”

But that did not sit well with her, and she shared that she was willing to be open, honest, and vulnerable about her mental health struggles if it helped others. However, she emphasized that she was not comfortable conforming to others’ expectations, serving as a one-size-fits-all example for mental health advocacy. This highlighted her goal to maintain her own well-being and individual journey, showcasing the immense growth she has had. Did you know that, showing this very growth, Biles recently gave fans a treat when she showcased the very move that took her out of the Tokyo Olympics?

Biles redeems herself from the clutches of the past

In December 2023, Simone Biles shared a series of behind-the-scenes gymnastics training videos with her millions of followers on Instagram as she began gearing up for the Paris Olympics in 2024. Among various exciting snippets, the gymnastics queen was seen perfectly executing the Amanar vault, displaying her dominating skills.

The Amanar vault is where the gymnast does a backward somersault off the vaulting horse or table, stays straight in the air, and spins two and a half times before landing. This was the very move that caused her the “Twisties” in Tokyo, as Biles lost her spatial awareness and was able to do one-and-a-half twists, affecting her landing.

Read more: Husband Jonathan Owens Calls Out Simone Biles for Not Admitting Making First Move On Him

As the Paris Olympics 2024 draw near, Simone Biles continues to be an inspiration, displaying not just her growth since 2021 but also her unique individuality that sets her apart.

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