Calay News
The successful Olympic gymnast, Simone Biles, decided to take a long break to prioritize her mental health, an issue that she herself highlighted during her participation in the Tokyo Olympics. Although Biles was expected to crown her legacy with more medals, her participation took a dramatic turn due to a series of unusual mistakes in the qualifying rounds.
Biles explained that she suffered from a phenomenon known as “twisties,” which affects a gymnast’s sense of direction in the air and exposes them to falls and injuries. This experience led her to withdraw from several tests to protect her mental and physical health.
Her decision to prioritize her well-being over competition was seen as a pivotal moment in the fight against prejudices around mental health in elite sport. Also during this time, Biles married Jonathan Owens, a football player for the Green Bay Packers.
Recently, Ella Biles confirmed her return to competition and shared that she continues to receive therapy to manage the mental aspect of her activity. She has overcome her fear of “twisties” and is back to training with confidence.
However, her future remains uncertain, and she has yet to confirm if she will participate in the Paris Olympics next year. Although the US Classic in Chicago has been fruitful for Biles in the past, winning gold medals in previous competitions, the final decision on her participation is yet to be determined.
Despite the challenges and difficulties she has faced, Simone Biles is one of the most outstanding gymnasts in history, and her fight against prejudice and the promotion of mental health in sport have made her a figure inspiring to many. Her bravery and determination have been hailed by her fans, and her return to competition is a reason for hope for those facing similar challenges in the world of elite sports.
