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TOKYO, JAPAN – AUGUST 03: Simone Biles of Team United States poses with the bronze medal during the Women’s Balance Beam Final medal ceremony on day eleven of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Ariake Gymnastics Centre on August 03, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
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TOKYO, JAPAN – AUGUST 03: Simone Biles of Team United States poses with the bronze medal during the Women’s Balance Beam Final medal ceremony on day eleven of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Ariake Gymnastics Centre on August 03, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Out of all the Olympic Games, the 2020 Tokyo Olympics saw Simone Biles win a bronze medal for her efforts. Most importantly, this was special for her because of the significance it carries. Before the start of the team gymnastics competitions, Biles decided to withdraw from the event. After struggling with mental health issues, she couldn’t go forward and pulled out of the competition. However, things changed.
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The iconic gymnast returned to her signature balance beam competition and won the bronze medal. It was a special moment for everyone involved in the sport. After that event, her teammates cheered her up for returning to the competition amidst all the troubles she faced. A stunning turn of events.
A comeback for the ages from Simone Biles
She scored 14.00 in her balance beam routine and won the bronze medal. Although she did not win the gold medal, she didn’t care about that due to the circumstances she was under. Hence, it was a glorious moment for her teammates and coaches to see her perform again. In a recent interview, she explained the importance of that bronze medal, loving every moment of what she achieved. In the first part, she explained how people perceive Olympians to win the ‘gold medal or bust’.
“If you look at America and what we do and once we go over to the Olympics, they’re kind of like gold medal or bust. But, goes into their thinking gold medal or bust. We’re just trying to give it our best shot because we’ve been training, some of us for over 20 years to get the opportunity to go represent the US,” said Biles.
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RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – AUGUST 14: Simone Biles of the United States looks on prior to the Women’s Vault Final on Day 9 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Rio Olympic Arena on August 14, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
Representing one’s country is all she desired in her life. Being one of the hallmark athletes of the country is remarkable for her, as Biles explained what that gold medal meant for her.
A special medal to be cherished
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Now on a break from gymnastics, Biles is looking forward to her marriage to her boyfriend, Jonathan Owens. She had earlier spoken about how he supported her to cope with the withdrawal from the Olympics. Hence, Biles is happy with the medal she won, despite the problems she faced.
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TOKYO, JAPAN – JULY 27: Simone Biles of Team United States smiles during the Women’s Team Final on day four of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Ariake Gymnastics Centre on July 27, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
“To me, my bronze was gold. It’s because I got up there, did my best. I even had to downgrade my routine. But I gave it my best once I got up there. That’s all I could ask myself given the circumstance that I was under.”
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Thus, the bronze medal remains one of her major achievements to date. To come back from all the backlash, and then to win a bronze medal at the grandest stage of them all, now that is something. Biles was already a legendary gymnast after her 2016 Rio Olympics. This bronze medal elevated her status.
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