Mental Health vs. Medal Count
During the gymnastic events of the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics, which happened in 2021 due to COVID-19, Simone Biles shared with the world her ongoing struggles with mental health, and the psychological blockades that prevented her from performing with her characteristic dominance. As the recipient of seven Olympic medals, she showed the strength to prioritize her mental and physical health over international athletic validation. While a few passionately competitive Americans expressed their outrage at her apparent “lack of discipline,” most viewers recognized the incredibly impactful message she portrayed for athletes across the globe. Her vulnerability in sharing her struggles brought together fellow athletes, supporters, and observers alike to promote mental health awareness. In an interview on the TODAY Show, Biles discussed her goal to “navigate her own unique mental health journey,” and advocated for others to follow her lead in opening the discussion about mental health in athletics. The Olympian claimed that there are “weaknesses in strength,” vowing to continue working on herself before returning to her defining sport.
Return to Gymnastics
The 4 foot 8 inch Olympian made her triumphant reentry into the gymnastics world at the 2023 World Gymnastics Championships in Belgium. Although she didn’t sweep the event’s awards, she eased back into competition, taking home a gold medal and silver medal from the Floor and Vault exercises respectively. Later in the year, she competed in the U.S. Gymnastics Championships and reinserted herself into the American sphere of competition. Along the way, she has shared her continued efforts to prioritize her mental health, training both physically and emotionally for competitions. In recent reports, Biles has shared her ongoing anxiety about the pressure to perform after her return to the sport. However, she adds that she is continuing to attend therapy and focus on improving her mentality to address these challenges in a healthy way.
Preparing for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics
After proving to herself and the world that she is ready to fight for her position as the greatest American gymnast of all time, Simone Biles revealed that she intends to compete for a spot on the 2024 Olympic team. The trials for the team will be held in June of 2024, and Biles is planning to be there. In order to punch her ticket to Paris, Biles will be training intensely between now and June. She describes her training as “intentional,” involving a balance of pleasure and hard work. Expanding on her mental health advocacy, she hopes to redeem herself this year, proving that focusing on yourself leads to success.
“Stay healthy, have fun with it, and embrace all the moments. Because anything can happen” – Simone Biles.
By Rachel Dunn ‘25, Contributing Writer
