Simone Biles is still battling with the twisties.
Record-breaking gymnast and four-time Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles said she's "still scared to do gymnastics" due to her psychological battle with a condition known as "the twisties."
The twisties are a psychological affliction in which a gymnast can no longer judge their spatial placement in the air during acrobatic movements and become "lost" in the air, unable to tell up from down.
The twisties are a dangerous affliction for gymnasts, as losing spatial awareness mid-trick while suspended in the air makes landing extremely difficult and can lead to serious injury or even death.
Biles' experience suffering with the twisties led to her dropping out of competing at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic finals—a choice that brought sympathy and applause from her fans and fellow gymnasts.
In a recent interview with Today, Biles—who is currently performing in the Gold Over America Tour—announced she still has not attempted to do any acrobatic maneuvers that involve twisting.
Watch the interview here:
\u201cI don\u2019t think people understand the magnitude of what I go through.\u201d\n\n@Simone_Biles tells @hodakotb about life after the Tokyo Olympics, the next chapter of her gymnastics career, and working for the health and telemedicine app Cerebral. The company\u2019s CEO also joins us live.pic.twitter.com/4EG6gucUcY— TODAY (@TODAY) 1634819810
"I don't twist [on tour]."
"I do double lay half-outs, which is my signature move on the floor. That's never affected me. But everything else weighs so heavy, and I watch the girls do it and it's not the same."
In the interview, Today host Hoda Kotb asked Biles about her recent Senate testimony against former US gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar.
Nassar was charged with sexually abusing hundreds of female gymnasts—including Biles herself.
Biles tearfully explained the toll the trial has taken on her and how it may be related to her case of the twisties.
"Over the years, after suppressing so many emotions and putting up a front on a global scene, I think really all of that came to light [at the Olympics]."
"My body and my mind allowed me to suppress all of that stuff for so many years."
She also said it has been difficult for her to not be able to do maneuvers she used to be able to perform.
"I'm proud of myself and I'm happy that I can be a leader for the survivors and bring courage to everybody speaking up, so I'm happy to be a voice for them."
"But we go through our own things, and it's hard, but the twisting...will come back. But I'm still scared to do gymnastics."
Twitter has been overwhelmingly supportive of Biles' situation.
I don't know if Simone will ever read this, but lady, you have nothing to apologize for - you get those emotions out whether it's crying or speaking out. You are amazing and we are ALL the better for having you here and taking a stand speaking about mental health. So proud of you— JoelyGabs (@JoelyGabs) 1634825121
@Simone_Biles breaking down broke my heart . It seems people do not give her the credit she deserves for her bravery of speaking uppic.twitter.com/DG0ITvH3bP— BILES-tober\ud83d\udc7b\ud83c\udf83 \u2790 (@BILES-tober\ud83d\udc7b\ud83c\udf83 \u2790) 1634863815
I am so proud of @Simone_Biles Thank you for being a champion for all survivors across the globe by sharing your truth and vulnerability with us. I\u2019m crying too! Sending you all the love because you\u2019re amazing and deserve all the good things life has to offer! \nhttps://twitter.com/TODAYshow/status/1451165580246007815\u00a0\u2026— SpiritualWomanEmpoweredBySelfLove (@SpiritualWomanEmpoweredBySelfLove) 1634821005
So many don\u2019t realize what impacts athletes mental health. Althetes put on a brave face bc that\u2019s what we\u2019ve been trained to do. I suppressed my feelings & mental health for as long as I could & it became too much.https://twitter.com/TODAYshow/status/1451165580246007815\u00a0\u2026— ASHLYN (@ASHLYN) 1634837073
Girls these days don\u2019t know how lucky they are to have @Simone_Biles; just watched her interview about joining a mental health app and she was so genuine. \n\n#mentalhealth #Simonebiles— Ericka Mc (@Ericka Mc) 1634820628
.@Simone_Biles: we have a team of girls here to see you and the team in STL and THANK YOU. Thanks for being such a role model, for rising up, for lifting as you rise & for such a compassionate $ powerful show. #GOAT #GoldoverAmericatour— Ana Baumann (she/her) (@Ana Baumann (she/her)) 1634348469
I've been a clinical psychologist for +35 yrs many have been working as a sexual trauma counselor. You have changed the paradigm of mental health & this is AMAZING! You're SO brave to speak about your emotional struggles! Thank you! Hang in there during your recovery!— One Critical Thinker (@One Critical Thinker) 1634878074
I know you may think crying on TV is embarrassing, but don\u2019t! When we struggle to \u201c keep it together\u201d it\u2019s not a failure to be real with our emotions. Pain is pain and it\u2019s real. I wanted to jump thru the TV and hug you. Our brains , like any other body part need time to heal!— Anna Perret (@Anna Perret) 1634833892
The @hodakotb interview with @Simone_Biles was informative, thoughtful and caring. Both ladies are so fabulous #todayshow @TODAYshow— Julie M Shoaf (@Julie M Shoaf) 1634819120
I give her credit for speaking up. I award you a gold medal for that @Simone_Biles. I felt your pain and I am sorry people don't understand what you go through. I understand how you feel. Hang in there. https://twitter.com/broddie__/status/1451350150396383232\u00a0\u2026— Enrique A. Vaca (@Enrique A. Vaca) 1634866693
Biles also promoted her partnership with telehealth therapy and mental health app Cerebral, an app she herself has been using to get therapy during the Gold Over America Tour.
We welcome with open arms @Simone_Biles as a Chief Impact Officer! She has been an amazing role model and #mentalhealth advocate, in and out of the field, so we could not be more honored to have her working with our team. Join us in welcoming her as part of the Cerebral family!pic.twitter.com/l8SpcPuGf5— Cerebral (@Cerebral) 1634819404
If I\u2019ve learned anything over these past few months, it\u2019s that it\u2019s ok to take a step back to take care of yourself. Happy to be partnering w @forcerebral as a Chief Impact Officer to help break the stigma+expand access to mental health resources. #ItsOkToNotBeOk #Cerebralpartner— Simone Biles (@Simone Biles) 1634842241
It is unclear at this point whether Biles will be performing her twisting maneuvers anytime soon.
It seems as though she will be taking time to prioritize her mental health over her gymnastic career.
We wish you all the best, Simone!
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The Washington Post