During the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Simone Biles, America's most decorated gymnast, took a step back to take care of her mental health. She withdrew from the remainder of the team finals.
Still struggling with the "twisties," Biles withdrew from several subsequent events as well.
Although she was praised heavily by her fans and supporters, Biles was also heavily criticized and called a "quitter" by some.
In an Instagram post showing two of her seven Olympic medals, Biles made an epic clapback at anyone who claimed she quit.
Biles said in the caption:
"Definitely not the way I planned the Olympics going but I wouldn't change anything for the world."
"I'm proud of myself and the career I've had thus far."
"This Olympics doesn't erase the past accomplishments I've achieved nor does it define who I am as an athlete."
"I've pushed through so much the past couple years, the word quitter is not in my vocabulary."
"For some of you that may be how you define me but keep talking because I can't hear you over my 7 Olympic medals which tied me for the most decorated gymnast EVER as well as most decorated American gymnast."
People like Piers Morgan called her a quitter in the past, claiming mental health was not an excuse to leave the competition.
Ultimately, Twitter came back at him for attacking Biles.
Biles cited a case of "the twisties," which feels as though her "mind and body are simply not in sync." Ultimately, it would have been incredibly dangerous if she had tried to compete.
Many defended Biles decision, including former Olympian Dominique Moceanu, who landed on the balance beam head first but was made to go on into the next competition without a medical exam.
Biles feats of strength on the mat and the beam seem to match her strength and determination off as well. Nothing seems to get in her way.
Her fans definitely heard her over her seven Olympic medals.
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Biles ended up returning to the Olympic stage to claim Bronze on the balance beam. That win tied her with Shannon Miller for the most medals won by an American gymnast.
Biles told the Associated Press:
"We're not just entertainment, we're humans."
"And there are things going on behind the scenes that we're also trying to juggle with as well, on top of sports."
Showing the world that level of humanity is one of the strongest things Biles could do.
Jane Rosenberg
Jane Rosenberg
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