Tokyo’s Twisties Left Simone Biles Unsure of Her Skills: “Never Pictured Going to Another Olympics”

“It doesn’t feel comfortable; I have no idea where I am, but I’m twisting, praying I land on my feet,” Simone Biles shared on the “Call Her Daddy” podcast, reflecting on her experience with the twisties at the Tokyo Olympics. She added, “I felt like I was fighting my body and my mind to do these tricks.” That year, she cut herself and failed to land steadily during her vault in the competition.

Being able to complete just 1.5 rotations of 2.5. Simone eventually withdrew. The anxiety of this, paired with the fact that she’s the oldest gymnast competing right now, might have led her to believe she wouldn’t return to the elite stage. But for Biles, a setback isn’t a roadblock, it’s a stepping stone to climb to a higher level. 

Following the Tokyo Olympics, Simone Biles expressed surprise and uncertainty about continuing in gymnastics, especially regarding another Olympics. Reflecting on the mental and physical challenges she faced, Biles highlighted the profound impact of the “twisties.”

In a post-competition interview with USA Gymnastics on Instagram, she candidly admitted, “Never pictured going to another Olympics,” underscoring her struggle with this debilitating condition which led to her withdrawal from events, shedding light on the immense mental strain elite athletes endure. Despite challenges, 4X Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles emphasized the importance of mental health in sports and her journey to rebuild confidence.

After the announcement of the 5-member squad that will be making the USA female gymnastics team, winner and runner up; Simone Biles and Suni Lee sat down for a press meet with USA gymnastics. They captioned it, “@sunisalee & @simonebiles speak to the media after making the 2024 Women’s Olympic Team!” Simone said that this time the whole team is much stronger than they were in Tokyo. If they keep the training up in the way they are, she’s sure they’ll be able to hit it out of the ballpark. Joining her on the Olympic team are Jordan Chiles, who also trains at WCC alongside Simone Biles. As well as Jade Carey and 16 year old Hezly Rivera. 

Ahead of the Tokyo Olympics last time, Simone Biles was already a 7x Olympic medalist which included 4 golds. She also had 25 podium finishes at the World Championships. Out of which 19 were titles. However the pressures were immense. The raging COVID pandemic made training ten times harder and took a significant mental toll. Additionally at that time the fiasco about the Karolyi’s ranch and Dr Larry Nassar was unveiled. She said,  “If you looked at everything I’ve gone through for the past seven years, I should have never made another Olympic team. I should have quit way before Tokyo, when Larry Nassar was in the media for two years. It was too much.” Moreover Biles has often spoken about how “as a Black woman, we just have to be greater.” However this time around, Simone has changed her approach to the sport and has started to prioritize herself. 

Simone Biles is aiming for success on her own terms

After her decision to quit the Tokyo Olympics, she faced a wave of backlash despite being supported by USA Gymnastics. Simone Biles explained her decision saying, “I have to focus on my mental health. I just think mental health is more prevalent in sports right now. We have to protect our minds and our bodies and not just go out and do what the world wants us to do.” At the end of the day, she’s not just an athlete, she is also a person. Sometimes taking a step back is just as important. Nastia Liukin echoed this sentiment, commenting, “Let’s go. So proud of you.”

During Biles’ withdrawal from the Tokyo Olympics, Liukin showed her support, asserting that Biles “made the right decision” by putting her mental health first. Additionally, Athleta, Simone Biles’ sponsor, praised her by saying, “Simone is incredibly inspiring and empowering, and we are eagerly looking forward to what’s next 💞.” Her openness and candor about her mental health struggles has really changed the tone of the conversation in the sports world. To see the best of the best struggle within their minds has done wonders to lessen the stigma around it.

Simone Biles said at the last Gold Over America tour, “See for me, that was the hardest part because speaking out on mental health, I knew that I could have the possibility of becoming an advocate for that. But it wasn’t my goal. It’s not what I really wanted.” Biles has been open about getting therapy and removing the weight of the expectations from her shoulder. This time, she is doing it for herself. Even her coach Cecile Landi expressed how they have a system going on where Biles never misses a therapy appointment. Hopefully this will pay off in the Olympics as well and Simone Biles will be able to add several more notches to get bedpost.