If anyone can pull off a triumphant comeback, it is Simone Biles. Remember how the gymnast went through a harrowing experience during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics? She struggled to attempt 2.5 twists during her signature Amanar vault during the team’s final warm-ups. But the 27-year-old nearly fell during the competition. Scoring 19.766 with a difficulty score of 5.0, the Olympian left the competition floor shortly after. But when she returned, the gymnastics world was left stunned by her decision to withdraw from the team competition. 

Mikaela Shiffrin went through something similar during the 2022 Beijing Winter Games. During her third Olympic berth, the skiing superstar missed out on a medal in all 3 of her individual games. However, she still had one event to salvage herself—the mixed team parallel. Unfortunately, the quartet comprising of herself, Tommy Ford, Paula Moltzan, and River Radamus missed the podium by a whisker, finishing in fourth place. Even though she was the favorite, she left the Games with no medals to her name.

However, Simone Biles was one of her biggest supporters during that time. The 11x Olympic medalist proved the naysayers wrong with her dazzling routines at Bercy Arena. And Shiffrin couldn’t help but be ecstatic for the G.O.A.T. The skiing star had never met the gymnast, but their stars aligned when the duo finally caught up at the French capital. “We sat and talked for quite a while, and talking about everything,” the 3x Olympic medalist told Olympics.com.

Mikaela Shiffrin wasn’t expecting much because the gymnast was really busy in Paris. All she wanted to do was give her a quick hug and congratulate the Olympian. However, she got more than what she expected. What did they talk about? “Of course, her experience in [Tokyo] and comparing our experiences with the Olympics.” The memories might not be too pleasant. But having someone to share it with definitely made it easier for both of them. 

The 29-year-old added, “But also just competing and the expectations that people have when they anticipate you’re going to win everything – just the sort of similarities in that mentality.” As heavy as that sounds, the duo shared a few laughs. Shiffrin admitted that the Olympian loved to giggle, and it was contagious. However, she admitted how amazing it was to have this heart-to-heart with the Olympian, especially after Simone Biles redeemed herself at the French capital. How did the 27-year-old deal with the backlash after Tokyo? 

Simone Biles leaves the quitter tag behind in the French capital

Taking a step down from the world’s biggest stage was a bold move. The Olympian wanted to focus on herself. “I have to focus on my mental health. I just think mental health is more prevalent in sports right now,” she confessed in a press conference after. Dealing with something like the ‘Twisties’ is not easy. So, the 27-year-old decided to stay away from the sport for 2 whole years. But she made a triumphant return in 2023. 

Simone Biles has consistently reiterated it’s okay to not be okay. In fact, the Olympian has been vocal about how difficult it was to get around that mental block. She even had to start therapy. It wasn’t as easy. The gymnast didn’t even think she needed it. But it helped her gain success in the French capital. “It didn’t matter if it was before all-around or after qualifications, I went back to the village and did my therapy sessions.” 

Even though we often consider the Olympian to be a superhuman, she’s never shied away from talking about needing help too. While her intense routine in Paris kept the gymnast on her toes, she learned to prioritize what matters. “Since it is part of my daily routine, we don’t have to stop that just because I’m halfway across the world.” But this honesty helped push the conversation ahead, not just in the sport but in all walks of life. 

“As long as I’m staying authentic to who I am and keep being open, raw, and vulnerable, then that’s what I’m going to do,” the 27-year-old confessed recently. Taking on the role of a mental health advocate hasn’t been ideal, but Simone Biles has led this change by example. Putting her mental health first at a crucial point in her career is as clear as it gets. Maybe that’s why the gymnast and Mikaela Shiffrin could relate and understand what either of them went through. We love watching two queens support each other!