Simone Biles redemption arc: Beating ‘Tokyo Ghosts’ to biting ‘Eiffel Tower’ gold

Simone Biles with her 8th Olympic medal, further solidifying her GOAT status at Paris Olympics 2024.

Simone Biles redemption arc: Beating ‘Tokyo Ghosts’ to biting ‘Eiffel Tower’ gold

Simone Biles [Image Credit: The Independent]

Simone Biles once again proves why she is in a league of her own. She alongside her teammates won the 4th gold medal for the USA, after getting silver in Tokyo 2021. Following the Olympic Trails, Biles and Suni Lee talked about how the 2024 Paris Olympics will be their “redemption tour”, and they very much proved so. 

Their performance on Tuesday proved to the doubters and haters that they have what it takes to stand on the Olympic gold medal podium. There were instances where Biles was labeled as a “quitter” noting her leave during Tokyo Olympics. 

YouTube video

Even earlier this month, gymnast MyKayla Skinner questioned Team USA’s “work ethic“, although she apologized saying it was a misunderstanding. Despite all doubts and negativity, Simone Biles became one of the most decorated American gymnasts in the history of the Olympic Games. 

FS Video

Currently, she owns 8 Olympic medals and 30 World Championship medals. Her performance at the Tokyo Games had many questions about her credibility as a gymnast. Later she explained she was suffering from “twisties” after a mental breakdown in 2021. 

She tearfully admitted that she collapsed under the pressure of bringing gold back home. Apart from expectations from all around the world, she admitted that she was somewhat affected by Larry Nassar’s case. It was not only Biles but several other gymnasts and Olympians who suffered from abuse for years until his arrest.

Biles said she felt like she had to withdraw immediately from the spotlight to “protect her mental health.” Piers Morgan even commented on how she was “not a strong role model” for young aspirants after she quit in the middle of the Tokyo Games.

At the end of the day, we don’t want to be carried out on a stretcher.
Simone Biles as per Kimberley Bond of HarpersBazaar.

Piers Morgan further questioned if Biles thought mental health issues are “now the go-to excuse for any poor performance in elite sport? What a joke.” Commentator Clay Travis called out the gymnast asking her to “apologise” to her fellow teammates and fans. 

On the other hand, internet personality and radio talk show host Charlie Kirk labeled Biles as a “sociopath”, “selfish”, “immature”, and “a shame to the country.” Paris Olympics was not only her chance to make her Olympics debut once again but also to make everyone shut up with the results, which she was successful in the gold standard. 

RELATED
Simone Biles takes savage dig at MyKayla Skinner’s remark on Team USA’s “work ethic” after winning gold at Paris Olympics
Simone Biles and MyKayla Skinner [Image Credit: Imago/US Weekly]

Mental health being taken seriously after Simone Biles Tokyo Games incident

Mental health issues among athletes have been prevalent for a long time. Unfortunately, there was no development to protect an athlete from breakdown until Simone Biles Tokyo case. She opened up about the serious consequences mental health can bring in a person’s life, and how important it was to back out and take a break in such cases.

Simone Biles [Image Credit: Imago]
Simone Biles [Image Credit: Imago]

She herself admitted that until the Tokyo Olympics, she was just bottling stress and anxiety up, but it reached the tipping point during the 2021 Games. Twisties is a mental block where a gymnast loses control of her body as her mind and body become unable to synchronize properly.

It can lead to fatal injuries and in the worst case to death. Even now after winning gold at Paris, she focuses on the importance of taking care of herself before any competitions. In her docuseries, “Simone Biles Rising”, she encouraged athletes including her husband Jonathan Owens to take note of mental health care and take therapy if needed.

At the beginning of the day, I started off with therapy this morning…I told my therapist I was feeling calm and ready.
Simone Biles at Paris Olympics as per Olympics.com.

Swimming legend Michael Phelps is also often seen advocating for mental health issues, along with the importance and risks it involves. Being an athlete, especially on an international level often comes with extreme expectations and pressure.

While many may enjoy the expectations, it is also important to take note of one’s health. Following the Team USA women’s gymnastics gold medal win, Biles proved how she could stand back up again, despite withdrawing from the Tokyo Games due to mental health issues. 

In case you missed: