One of the Olympics’ biggest stars, US gymnast Simone Biles was visibly upset Tuesday night when she withdrew from the team’s event final, with what she described as a mental health issue.
On Wednesday Biles was ruled lut of Thursday’s all-around event, where she is the defending champions. There was no decision yet on the individual apparatus events next week.
Biles, the greatest gymnast of all time, made an error in one discipline and pulled out of another before walking off the floor during the teams event.
It put her participation in the individual all around final in doubt and she could not confirm if she would be able to compete.
USA Gymnastics said Biles’ withdrawal was down to a “medical issue”, but she later confirmed it was due to her own mental health concerns.
“After the performance I did I just didn’t want to go on,” said Biles, fighting back tears as sspoke to the media.
“I do not trust myself anymore, I tried to go out there for the team and they stepped up to the plate.
“I’m just trying to gear up for the next test.
“I have to focus on my mental health … we’re going to see about Thursday.
“We’re going to take it a day at a time and see what happens. We have to protect our minds and our bodies and not just go out and do what the world wants us to do.
“I just think mental health is more prevalent in sports right now.”
A team statement said: “She will be assessed daily to determine medical clearance for future competitions.”
Biles, 23, was the top qualifier for the individual event.
The team event was won by the ROC team, with the USA finishing in second and Biles pulled out of the event after a poor first vault.
She competed in Team USA’s first rotation on vault, bailing out of her Amanar and only completing a 1.5 twist on a 2.5-twisting Yurchenko, then taking a big stumble backward on the landing.
She then exited the competition floor with the team doctor.
Biles returned several minutes later. She took off her bar grips, hugged teammates and was replaced in the competition.
In a social media post on Monday, Biles admitted she felt like the weight of the world was on her shoulders and that the Olympics “were no joke.”
nics
Roar Rookie
Gc red - you make a fair point though that is a point that could be made for almost all injuries/ disabilities. The point I am making (perhaps unclearly) is that the criticism of her for withdrawing for mental health seems a tad unfair in the artificial context of a sporting competition where subs are allowed and it may be the team thing to do to withdraw. Surely you agree that players in a team sport (regardless of their personal wealth/status) are allowed to flag when they're injured? Fwiw I am well aware that "in real life" many people work under stress. I do in my day job, and I know many healthcare workers who have done so last year as the job had to be done (and even then there needs to be a conversation re reorganising or resourcing stressful roles so people can do their jobs safely and sanely). However, this is just sport.
GC Red
Roar Rookie
Nah mate, I’m saying that being able to stop doing something because of mental illness is the domain of those that can afford to, not that it didn’t exist or that it doesn’t. No one in any other sector of life gets the grace or forgiveness afforded to the rich and famous. I think if you read my post again, possibly with a little more charity toward my point you may think differently of it.
nics
Roar Rookie
Well if it makes you feel better I’m happy to say “sorry, that was what I thought you meant” – that’s what you get for reading fast and multitasking so I will put my hand up for that. Not sure where you get off criticising one’s English comprehension on an online blog site. Maybe address the substantive points made (re mental health/ the extent to which we need proof that athletes are injured) rather than taking things personally?
jameswm
Roar Guru
Mate you should have just said "sorry, that what was I thought you meant". I'm not arguing with you any more. Move on.
nics
Roar Rookie
You can take a chill pill too dude. After all I didn't say "we aren't entitled to her information" directly at you. You drew that implication yourself (which, if I were being childish, I would say "proves me right" if I wanted to follow your logic), and then had a crack at my English levels - how do you know if English is my second language?
jameswm
Roar Guru
"arguably implied" proves me right. You wanted to see it and read it between the lines. It wasn't said and wasn't intended. Not my problem. Take a chill pill dude.
nics
Roar Rookie
Maybe you need to check your comprehension. It’s arguably implied in your statement “we never know the details”. In any event, can you point me to the part of my earlier post at (10:57) where I said you (jameswm) claimed “we are entitled to the details? After all I was making a general statement and if you feel it is targeted at you, that’s your problem. Are you able to deal with the substantive points of the issue rather than engaging in personal attacks?
jameswm
Roar Guru
Nice straw man argument. Your English tutor needs a refund.
nics
Roar Rookie
“I certainly think it is something that has to be taken seriously, but we never know the details.” Might be worth reading this on the Guardian in lieu of Ms Biles deciding to publish her psychiatrist’s report for our general consumption “Simone Biles’ twisties: mental block which puts gymnasts at serious risk”
jameswm
Roar Guru
Can you point me to the part of my post where I said we are entitled to the details?
nics
Roar Rookie
Well in this case given she's pulled out of the individual event too, it is arguable she has a serious mental health issue. We aren't entitled to have the details of her personal health in any event. Maybe the US Gymnastics team management are, but we're just punters last I checked. "is it justified" - if they can't perform due to an injury (mental/otherwise) they cant perform - should athletes play through a minor sprain and sabotage their teammates' chances? is it justified?
nics
Roar Rookie
There is an article on the Guardian titled "Simone Biles’ twisties: mental block which puts gymnasts at serious risk" which I can't link to. Might be worth reading as it discusses a mental condition gymnasts can suffer.
nics
Roar Rookie
There is an article on the Guardian titled "Simone Biles’ twisties: mental block which puts gymnasts at serious risk" which I can't link to. Might be worth reading as it discusses a mental condition gymnasts can suffer.
astro
Roar Rookie
Yep, it was called 'choking' but fortunately we now live in a world where people (some more than others) are actually aware of the realities of mental health issues and the insensitivity that comes with using a word like 'choker' to describe someone who's facing such issues.
jameswm
Roar Guru
It's still a tough one though. If someone pulls "mental health" card, it's like they can't touched. Is it just pressure, and stress? Is it justified? One view is if an athlete says they are so stressed they cannot perform properly, then by definition that is a proper mental health issue. It's like having a rolled ankle or hamstring issue. If an athlete stuffed up, then cries mental health, is it an excuse? I certainly think it is something that has to be taken seriously, but we never know the details. With Biles it seemed odd that after 1 go on her first comp of the Olympics, she left. That suggests it had been building big time in the days leading in.
nics
Roar Rookie
And the point that has been made above by various people is that mental illness can be just as debilitating as physical injury. just because you haven’t seen it in your sporting career does not mean it is unlikely or that she “walked away”. Whether she’s a rich celebrity or not is irrelevant – they had a sub and used it when she was injured. You’re basically saying rich people shouldn’t be sick. I can bet you if the 4th ranked gymnast in the US team was subbed out this would not be an issue.
GC Red
Roar Rookie
Yep, I played a bunch of team sports and still do. So I understand your point. I have never seen anyone pull out of any sport I have played because of mental illness. Again, I am not saying she doesn’t have mental issues, everyone does at one time or another, just saying that most people that aren’t mega rich celebrities don’t have the option to just walk away when things get tough. She didn’t do a hammy, roll an ankle or have a sand shoe blow out. She just walked away.
Yawn
Guest
Wasn’t this called “choking” a little while ago? Certainly never heard to it being referred to as “brave”…
nics
Roar Rookie
Or true team spirit is to recognise in a team event, when you are not able to perform at the best of your ability, sub out so your teammate can come in and play her role rather than drag the whole team down. Given she’s withdrawn from the individual event as well the inference is she’s not well. Are you her psychiatrist? If not how do you know she has not got a real mental illness and is using it as a copout? If your team-mate was injured and didn’t tell you but played on (subs available and unused), would you be happy?
GC Red
Roar Rookie
I tend to agree with you. “Mental health issues” are the new sacred cow that can’t be challenged. I know plenty of people on struggle street, abused by partners, no access to their kids, struggling to make ends meet who are truly courageous and show up to work day in day out. Because they don’t have the support networks, Sponsorship deals and swimming pools full of cash that all these troubled athletes have at their disposal. So forgive the few of us that don’t lap up the media love fest for this sort of stuff. True bravery is to front up and do things that are worth doing, in the face of challenges and holding your head up regardless of the result , knowing you gave it your all. Celebrities and sportspeople don’t help people with real mental health issues when they use it as a cop out.