The bond Simone Biles shares with her teammates, including Suni Lee, is truly something special, like a gold medal friendship! Whenever one of them needs help, Simone is right there, ready to lift them up. You can really see how much she cares, especially in those high-pressure moments. Take Suni Lee, for instance. During the national championships, Suni faced a tough situation when she didn’t land her vault as planned. Simone, who knows all too well about the mental hurdles of gymnastics, instantly jumped in to support her.

“I knew exactly what was going through her head,” Simone shared back in May, recalling her own struggles with the “twisties” at the Tokyo Olympics. After offering Suni Lee some encouraging words, she didn’t stop there—she cheered her on during the bar routine and even gave her a high-five when Suni nailed it. Suni later said, “Having her in my corner, and she’s just been so supportive.” And it’s not just Simone who’s there for her teammates; even Suni, Jordan Chiles, Jade Carey, and Hezly Rivera have all been there for Simone, especially during the high-pressure moments at the recent Paris Olympics.

Most recently, Suni Lee revealed her role in supporting gymnastics legend Simone Biles during the Paris Olympics, showing the critical nature of mental health in sports. In an interview with Glamour.com, Lee shared how she helped shield Biles from external pressures, stating, “Everyone wants Simone. You would think being an athlete, they would understand, but they didn’t. So we would be the ones [telling them], ‘She’s not doing any pictures right now.’ We had her back.”

When Suni Lee said, “Everyone wants Simone,” she was referring to how people often seek out Simone Biles, the most decorated gymnast in history, for pictures, advice, or interaction during high-pressure situations like the Olympics. Biles’ fame and status make her a focal point for attention, but this can be overwhelming for her. Lee and her teammates, including Jordan Chiles, stepped in to protect Simone from such demands when needed, understanding that she deserved space to focus on herself, especially during mentally challenging times.

Lee mentions that, despite Simone’s fame, they made sure to let her know they’ve “had her back” and give her breathing room, shielding her from people who might not understand the toll such attention takes. After all, we all know the story of Biles during the Tokyo Olympics, right? But still, at that time, she was there for her teammates.

Simone Biles and mental health awareness at the Tokyo Olympics

Back in 2021, Simone Biles made a huge splash when she decided to pull out of the team competition at the Tokyo Olympics, and honestly, it shook up the sports world. This wasn’t just about gymnastics; it sparked an important conversation about mental health in athletics. For years, Simone had carried the weight of being the greatest gymnast of all time, and it finally reached a tipping point for her. She opened up about the intense pressure she was feeling, saying, “It’s been really stressful, this Olympic Games.” The unique atmosphere in Tokyo, with no fans in the stands only added to the challenge.

Even though Biles stepped back, the U.S. women’s gymnastics team really came together, with Jordan Chiles stepping up to help secure a silver medal. It was bittersweet to see Biles in her white warmups instead of her leotard, but she was still there for her teammates, cheering them on and offering support. She explained that her choice was not because of any injury but more about her worry that she could harm herself if she participated in the competition while dealing with struggles.

Simone’s openness about her journey made her a strong advocate for wellness in sports by highlighting the importance of prioritizing one’s health even during the peak of performance.