Cheers, claps, and a standing ovation – that’s what Simone Biles and Team USA received after their phenomenal performance, making America’s metaphorical chest swell with pride. On July 30, Simone Biles took the world stage by storm, leading her team to an Olympic victory with a total of 171.296, leaving Italy and Brazil in the dust. This moment is a far cry from just three years ago when Biles faced criticism for stepping back from the Tokyo Olympics to focus on her mental health.

Battling the “twisties”- she made the courageous choice to prioritize her well-being. But was her exit really that straightforward? Once hailed as the Greatest of All Time (GOAT), Simone Biles found herself branded a “quitter” by some fans and came under fire from Piers Morgan, the English broadcaster, journalist, writer, and media personality. But now those very same critics are eating their words and hailing her as a hero. The criticism was a tough pill to swallow initially, but now it seems that the same broadcaster is in awe of Biles’s performance. But what exactly did Morgan say in 2021 tthat parked everyone’s ire?

Piers Morgan’s harsh words about Simone Biles in 2021

In 2021, Piers Morgan stirred controversy with an op-ed for the Daily Mail  by saying –“Sorry Simone Biles, but there’s nothing heroic or brave about quitting because you’re not having ‘fun’ — you let down your team-mates, your fans, and your country.” Following a shaky vault performance, Biles withdrew from the women’s team all-around finals and later from the individual all-around finals, citing mental health concerns. The U.S. team went on to win silver in the team event.

Morgan’s piece sharply criticized Biles’ decision to step back, disregarding her mental health struggles and expressing a preference for the athlete who would push through any adversity to win. He also questioned on Twitter whether mental health issues had become an excuse for poor performance in elite sports. In his words, “Are ‘mental health issues’ now the go-to excuse for any poor performance in elite sport? What a joke.” His harsh words were a tough pill to swallow for many, but now it seems that public sentiment has undergone a significant turnaround.

The British media personality ended up admitting his grave mistake post the Paris Olympics

After Simone Biles’ performance at the Paris Olympics leading the U.S. women’s team to a resounding victory in the finals at the lively Bercy Arena. With Biles at her show-stopping best, the Americans scored an impressive 171.296. This win capped off a year that solidified Biles’ reputation as the greatest gymnast of all time and one of the most extraordinary Olympians in history.

By the time Biles, her left calf heavily taped from the qualifiers, stepped onto the floor for her routine set to music by Taylor Swift and Beyoncé, her fifth Olympic gold was already a sure thing. Biles added the final flourish, securing the Americans’ third gold in their last four Olympic Games.

Following the triumph, Piers Morgan made about-face, admitting he was wrong to criticize Biles for withdrawing from team events at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. However, Morgan later took to Instagram to offer a heartfelt apology. Posting a smiling picture with Biles, he congratulated Biles!

His words, “Congrats @simonebiles on becoming the most decorated American gymnast of all time,” and added, “I was too harsh on you in 2021 when you quit the team finals. You’re a great champion, and have since proved me wrong in the best possible way – by letting your supreme talent do the talking.” Morgan acknowledged Biles’ talent and noted that she had proved him wrong in the best possible way by letting her skills speak for themselves. As they say, action speaks louder than words and Biles proved it!