It’s pretty apparent that a big name like Simone Biles would be a natural when it comes to bolstering her comrades morales. And something of that sort recently happened wherein she was seen pepping up a fallen soldier of hers. Simone Biles kicked off her journey towards the Paris Olympics with an outstanding performance at the U.S. Classic in Hartford, Connecticut.

Dominating the field, she clinched the all-around title with a remarkable 59.5 points, setting a new personal best. Her stellar performance has undoubtedly set her on a promising path for Paris, igniting hopes and excitement among her supporters. However, while Biles’ trajectory appears bright, the same cannot be said for Australian gymnast Heath Thorpe. Thorpe had a significant opportunity to secure a spot in the gymnastics competition at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympic Games. As an openly gay athlete, he had the chance to compete as a tour de force, with a guaranteed spot awaiting him if he emerged victorious in the upcoming championship. Sadly, Thorpe shared on Instagram that despite his efforts, he couldn’t clinch the coveted all-around title, marking a heartbreaking turn in his Olympic journey.

Heath Thorpe recently revealed the bittersweet reality of narrowly missing out on his Olympic dream. He expressed his disappointment, revealing that he fell just short of securing an Olympic quota place by a mere 0.768 points, and was only 0.134 points away from a reserve position. Last year also he faced a setback but at that time he found solace in the support of Simone Biles.

Finding strength in Simone Biles’s support – kindred spirits ftw

In 2023, Heath Thorpe discovered himself when he was attending the World Gymnastics Championships, in Belgium as a member of the press rather than participating as a competitor. Despite his success, including winning the Australian All-Around Championships, Thorpe was surprisingly left off Australia’s World Championship squad. This decision led to Thorpe appealing to the National Sports Tribunal, which partially upheld his case.

Despite the setback, Thorpe showed resilience by attending the competition as a reporter and securing media accreditation for the World Championships. At that time, Thorpe received encouragement from fellow gymnasts and supporters, including a touching shoutout from Simone Biles, who expressed, “I’m happy that you are here but you should be out here with us. We miss you.” and blew him a kiss during a press event. This gesture, along with support from fans and colleagues, served as motivation for Thorpe to continue pursuing his gymnastics career despite the obstacles he faced.

Heath Thorpe’s impact on gymnastics is a masterstroke to the land down under

Heath Thorpe’s journey in the world of gymnastics has been marked by significant milestones and contributions to the Australian team. Making his debut on the global stage at the prestigious 2022 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships, Thorpe showcased his talent and dedication as he represented his nation with pride. Prior to this, he served as a reserve athlete for the Australian team at the 2018 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships, illustrating his commitment to excellence and his readiness to step up when called upon.

Since 2017, Thorpe has been a respected member of the Australian National Squad, for Mens Artistic Gymnastics. His dedication to improving his gymnastics abilities and striving for greatness is truly admirable, serving as a beacon of inspiration for athletes nationwide, and at a tender age of 23, no less.