What Simone Biles Overcame Makes Her Story Even More Powerful
Credits - Lukas Schulze/DPA/Zuma Press
Credits - Lukas Schulze/DPA/Zuma Press
Taking a step back while being at the pinnacle of success is not for the faint of heart. But overcoming that with resilience, Simone Biles proved her return was about more than just winning.
In 2021, the world witnessed the most decorated gymnast in history withdraw from several individual events at the Tokyo Olympics. But as backlash surged, Biles turned around on her heels in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
“I never want to look back in ten years and say, 'Oh, what if I could've done another Olympic cycle or at least tried?’” Biles explained her return to the 2024 Paris Games in her Netflix documentary, Simone Biles Rising. “I didn't want to be afraid of the sport anymore.”
August 5, 2024, Paris, Ile de France, France: Simone Biles of the United States waits for score with coach Cecile Landi after competing on the beam on day three of the gymnastics event finals at the Arena Bercy during the 2024 Paris Olympics on Monday August 5, 2024 in Paris. Paris France - ZUMAj89_ 20240805_oly_j89_061 Copyright: xPaulxKitagaki,xJr.x
August 5, 2024, Paris, Ile de France, France: Simone Biles of the United States waits for score with coach Cecile Landi after competing on the beam on day three of the gymnastics event finals at the Arena Bercy during the 2024 Paris Olympics on Monday August 5, 2024 in Paris. Paris France - ZUMAj89_ 20240805_oly_j89_061 Copyright: xPaulxKitagaki,xJr.x
With the world trailing her every move, Biles pulled away from five of her six scheduled events at Tokyo after experiencing twisties on the vault. She could win just one team silver and a bronze on the beam.
And the cost of protecting her mental and physical health was an immense amount of backlash and criticism. But that didn’t stop Biles from clinching 3 golds in team, all-around and vault, plus a silver from floor in Paris.
Biles now stands adorned with 11 Olympic and 30 World Championship medals. But if going back to the time and rewriting the past was an option, would she have done it?
Simone Biles Stands Firm With Her 2020 Tokyo Games Decision
Entering the event as heavily favored by the masses, Biles was expected to do what she always did: win. But as challenging as her withdrawal was, the gymnast once explained why she stood firmly by her words.
“Everybody asks, ‘If you could go back, would you?’” Biles told New York Magazine in 2021. “No. I wouldn’t change anything because everything happens for a reason. And I learned a lot about myself, courage, resilience, how to say no and speak up for yourself.”
Her illustrious career witnessed several highs and lows. But Simone Biles didn’t just reach the podium in all of those trials; she returned victorious.
Going forward, do you think we’ll see her at the 2028 LA Olympics? Let us know in the comments.
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Written by
Deblina Roy