Simone Biles, after a two-year mental health break from gymnastics after the delayed Tokyo Olympics in 2021 – due to the pandemic, has returned to the Paris Olympics 2024. Simone’s return paves the way for so many athletes to open discussion about their mental health battles as well.
Biles is a USA gymnastics star poised to rule the roost at the Paris Olympics, showcasing her unmatched skills during the qualification rounds. Fans and crowds are waiting to see her – the most celebrated athlete in the history of gymnastics. Hollywood celebrities like Tom Cruise and Oscar-winning actor Jessica Chastain are among her fan’s endless list.
Simone Biles Journey So Far
During the qualification rounds, Simone scored 59.56, a mark of her resilience and dedication at her third Olympics. Her legacy contains 37 World and Olympic medals, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and the highest civilian honor in the United States.
Furthermore, she stands at four feet and eight inches, being the ninth most celebrated female Olympic gymnast. Simone shares this record with Shannon Miller for the most Olympic medals won by a US gymnast.
Her First Breakthrough and Mental Health Challenges
Simone Biles Olympics star’s first breakthrough happened at the Rio Olympics. There, she was awarded four gold medals in the team event, individual all-around, vault, and floor exercises. Not just gold but she also secured a bronze medal in the balance beam with Dutch gymnast Sanne Wevers taking gold.
At the time of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Biles was expected to replicate her 2016 success. However, it took courage for her to make a decision to prioritize her mental health over competing and eventually withdrawing from the team competition. This was a significant moment for mental health in sports.
Simone said, “I say put mental health first. Because if you don’t, then you’re not going to enjoy your sport and you’re not going to succeed as much as you want to. So it’s OK sometimes to even sit out the big competitions to focus on yourself because it shows how strong of a competitor and person that you really are.”
No matter what challenges came her way, Simone finished the Tokyo Olympics with a silver medal in the team event and a bronze medal individually in the balance team. Now after two years of being on a break to overcome mental health problems, she is the frontrunner for top podium finishes in all events.
Simone Biles’ Upbringing
Simone Biles was born on March 14, 1997, in Columbus, Ohio. In her early childhood, she was sent away to foster care after her biological mother could not care for her and her three siblings. Thankfully, her maternal grandparents, Ron and Nellie Biles, adopted her at the age of just three and provided her with a loving environment. Despite these challenges, Simone’s natural talent in gymnastics was quite evident from a young age.
She went to Benfer Elementary School in Harris County, Texas. She switched from public to homeschooling in 2012, which gave her the chance to train more – from 20 to 32 hours a week. Eventually, her dedication paid off and she won two individual gold medals at the 2013 World Championships.
No doubt, Simone’s life journey has been full of ups and downs – which pushed her to become one of the world’s greatest gymnasts. With Simone’s return to women’s gymnastics in Paris, she is not just an inspiration to females but also to those athletes who have been struggling with mental health problems.
Also Read: Simone Biles Wins Olympic Gold Again in Gymnastics Final
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