Fans saw Simone Biles’ vulnerable side at Tokyo 2021. For the first time, the then-four-time Olympic gold medalist didn’t seem like she was invincible. This came as an even bigger shock for gymnastics fans, as the woman who had already conquered the Rio Summer Games at just 19 was supposedly in her best shape ever. And yet, to everyone’s shock, Biles withdrew from the vault finals.

However, the world champion crumbling under pressure may have been an even bigger shock for her fellow Olympians. That’s because, throughout the years, the 27-year-old had built up a reputation of fearless confidence. Even before qualifying for the Olympics, the WCC gymnast had an aura of invincibility and the courage to joke with arguably the most notoriously strict coach in U.S. gymnastics history: Márta Károlyi!

Aly Raisman reveals Simone Biles’ rebellious side at Rio 2016

Simone Biles‘ former “Final Five” teammate and fellow 3X Olympic gold medalist Aly Raisman explained just how fearless Biles was during the Rio Olympics. Raisman recalled how the eleven-time Olympic medalist was cracking jokes at the crucial moment in front of none other than Márta Károlyi, the coach whose strictness has been equated with abuse.

“Simone is the only gymnast in history to feel confident enough to make a joke to Márta Károlyi when we’re on our way to compete at the Olympics,” Raisman told Sports Illustrated. The three-time gold medalist recalled the elevator incident as Coach Károlyi double-checked everyone’s gear ahead of the qualifying rounds. The coach asked: “Do you have everything? Do you have your grips?”

Raisman recounted Simone Biles saying “no” in response. “I forgot my grips to compete at the Olympics,” added Biles with a deadpan expression. Her stunning reply was as shocking as it was hilarious, especially because Coach Károlyi was at the receiving end of that joke. That is because Coach Márta and her late husband, Bela Károlyi, commanded fearful respect from the young gymnasts.

While Team US racked up medals under the Károlyis, the controversial coaches’ strictness and treatment toward athletes was called into question years later, marring their legacy. The Károlyis were reportedly so strict that they didn’t even pay much attention to injuries their athletes sustained. Bela Károlyi pushing Kerri Strug at the 1996 Olympics to win gold despite her injury is an example of what they expected from their athletes.

However, Simone Biles was rebellious. Despite the strict diet restrictions, the World Champion would sneak off at competitions to grab pretzels and post pictures of herself eating pepperoni pizza as per SI. However, the Olympian’s rebellious streak may have been a coping mechanism. And the wall she had built to keep the pressure at bay collapsed in Tokyo.

Simone Biles wouldn’t change a thing!

The seven-time Olympic gold medalist felt devastated in Tokyo. Despite being in her physical prime, mastering each skill, and winning several gold medals year after year, she couldn’t get a grip in Tokyo. The “twisties” made her fumble even during practice and warm-up. Now, three years after that performance and redeeming herself in Paris, Biles can finally look back without feeling overwhelmed.

While 2021 was a disaster for Simone Biles’ career, the three-time gold medalist at the Paris Olympics wouldn’t change anything even if she had the option. The 27-year-old has even called it a blessing in disguise. “I think it was truly a blessing in disguise because if that didn’t happen in Tokyo, I truly don’t believe I’d be in a mentally stable position…” Biles told George Balekji from NESN.

Biles had already repressed the mistreatment for years by the time Tokyo 2021 rolled around. Had she not crumbled on the grandest stage in the world, things might be different today and much worse. “I also believe I wouldn’t be able to get on my social media platforms and share my story with people and resonate with them and encourage them to get the help that they deserve,” added Biles.

Today, Simone Biles has risen from the experience as a better gymnast, physically and mentally. After three years of therapy and winning three Olympic golds and a silver without the suffocating strictness gnawing at her, the Olympian has a newfound respect for gymnastics. Thankfully, she’s also kept her sense of humor intact.