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Last week, when Simone Biles stepped onto the floor of Paris’ Bercy Arena, she did so with the eyes of the world upon her. Of course, this is nothing novel for any gymnast competing on the ultimate international stage that is the Olympics, as they must perform incredible feats under the weight of their nation’s expectations.
For Biles, this time was a bit different.
As the GOAT of gymnastics, the bar is raised for her already. Fans expect that she will fly higher, stick the landing better, and create combinations of higher difficulty and artistry than just about anyone else. But that is not the only thing people were watching for in Paris. In 2021, Biles withdrew from her competitions in the Tokyo Olympics due to mental health concerns, which manifested in a case of the twisties, which causes gymnasts to lose their sense of direction and space, and can be perilous, according to USA Today.
While many applauded Biles’ decision to prioritize her mental health and safety, others characterized it as weak, and said that not only was she letting down her team, but her country, as well. It was this commentary that led Biles to share on the Call Her Daddy podcast this spring, that following her decision, she believed the world and America hated her.
After such a vitriolic response, it wouldn’t be surprising if Biles had decided to retire.
But, as anyone who has watched any of her routines knows, Biles does not shy away from difficulty or challenge. In 2023, she returned to competition, and clinched that year’s U.S. Gymnastics Championships and World Championships all-around gold. This year, she repeated her win at the U.S. Championships.
Even so, when Biles returned to Olympic competition, it was with the specter of 2021 hanging over her. People wondered if the pressure of the moment would get to Biles, or if at 27, she could still compete at the high caliber for which she is known. She answered those questions quickly and unequivocally as she took home two gold medals: one in the individual all-around competition, and another for the team competition. As of August 5th, she has added to her medal count by winning gold for the vault and silver for floor exercise.
In Paris, Biles has handily reaffirmed her GOAT status, but this extends beyond her massive accomplishments and her medal count. For those who didn’t already believe it, Biles has shown that prioritizing her mental health was not weak, but one of the strongest things a person can do in a world that criticizes such actions. She is a role model as both an athlete and a human being.
As my niece watched the gymnastics competition this past week, she brought out her balance beam, wanting to be like Simone and Suni, like so many other kids did around the world.
Children tend to emulate what they see. While the vast majority of us will never become Olympians, we all will have to face adversity. We all will have moments in our own lives that will test us and change us and make us wonder if life as we know it is over. Is it not an incredibly powerful example then, to have an Olympian like Simone Biles share her struggle on an international stage, recognize her need to care for herself, take the time to do so, and come back stronger than ever?
To show that you will have trials but you can and will come out the other side?
To help us remember that not all achievements come with medals or accolades, but that does not mean it is not worthy of the work or pursuit?
These are lessons that we all must be reminded of.
When we look back at Simone Biles’ legacy, it is my hope that along with her records, we also note this: that in a moment of great vulnerability and struggle, this athlete of other-worldly talent showed us her great humanity, moving the conversation forward with strength, honesty, and resilience, and redefining what it means to be an all-around champion.
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