Simone Biles is unquestionably a true fighter. She conquered the hurdle known as the “twisties” during the Tokyo Olympics, leading her to withdraw from the finals. Since this mental block was beyond, her control, it required a break. Biles took one in 2021 and returned in 2023 with a high spirit. But if it were normal physical pain, would she have reacted the same?

On 28th October 2018, Simone Biles made waves at the World Gymnastics Championships in Doha in the qualifying round. Biles also led her team to success, with Team USA achieving a commanding score of 174.429, significantly outperforming Japan, who scored 162.180 points. However, amidst her triumph, it was also a challenge for her. Biles ended up in the hospital just a day before her event, on October 27th, 2018.

Simone Biles’ inspiring battle against pain

Simone Biles found herself in the emergency room, grappling with mysterious and persistent pain. The past two weeks, before the championship began in 2018, she had been battling back pains, followed by stomachaches. Concerned, she sought medical attention. When her mother visited her, a day before the championship, Biles knew it was time to head to the hospital. Just to be safe, they decided to run some tests.

There, an unexpected diagnosis emerged—a kidney stone. Despite the obstacle, Biles remained resolute. Sharing a selfie from her hospital bed, she lightened the mood with a quip on X, “Nothing like a late-night ER visit less than 24 hrs before world championships. This kidney stone can wait…doing it for my team! I’ll be gucci girls!” Even when advised by hospital staff that she might need to stay overnight, she remained unwavering.

“Sorry, I have to compete so I’m leaving, but thanks for letting me know I have a kidney stone and I’ll deal with the pain later!” she recounted to the Olympic Channel. Despite experiencing discomfort even during simple tasks like stretching and walking, Biles’s performance remained unaffected. But is it just this pain that makes her a true fighter? No.

Biles’ unconventional journey “It feels weird if I’m not in pain”

At the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio, Simone Biles solidified her status as a gymnastics legend, clinching individual gold medals in the all-around, vault, and floor exercises, along with a bronze on the balance beam. However, Biles’ skills extended beyond the Olympic stage. Biles disclosed a hidden struggle during the post-Olympics US gymnastics tour in 2016: a broken rib.

Despite the excruciating pain, she continued to perform. Reflecting on the moment she felt her rib crack after executing the Biles move, she recalled pushing through the discomfort to complete the show. “I couldn’t breathe but I continued the rest of the show. I believe we had just under two weeks of tour left.”

Even after the tour ended, Biles delayed seeking medical assistance, prioritizing her commitments, including a book tour. Her candid revelation serves as a reminder of the silent battles athletes endure, shielded from public view. “Pain is just something I live with and that is pretty odd for my age, right?”Biles said. “It feels weird if I’m not in pain.” This is the true spirit of being an Olympian.