Posted on 07/27/2021 9:15:54 AM PDT by marcusmaximus
Gymnastics superstar Simone Biles took a cue from tennis pro Naomi Osaka by pulling out of the team final after a shock error on her first event, insisting that she needed to 'focus on her mental health' because 'there is more to life than just' sport.
Speaking about her sensational exit from competition, which cleared the way for Team USA's Russian rivals to claim gold in a dramatic upset, the 24-year-old revealed that it came as a result of her personal mental health struggles and her desire to prioritize her 'wellbeing'.
'To focus on my wellbeing,' she told reporters of her reasons for pulling out of the competition following a sensational flub on the vault, echoing the statement issued by Naomi, 23, when she pulled out of the French Open earlier this year because of her own mental health struggles.
Shrugging, Simone added: 'And you know, there's more to life than just gymnastics.
'It is very unfortunate that it has to happen at this stage because I definitely wanted this Olympics to go a little bit better but again, we'll take it one day at a time and we're going to see how the rest goes.'
The gymnast also insisted that her decision to pull out of the competition after just one event - when she was due to take part in all four - was made, in part, to help her team, saying that she 'didn't want to risk the team medal' with 'her screw up'.
'I thought it was best that these girls took over the job which they absolutely did,' she continued. 'They are Olympic silver medalists now and they should be really proud of themselves now for how well they did last minute.'
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
We are not the people we once were....
If it truly is either a physical or most likely a mental health issue, this decision should have been made before the Trials. Let some other hard working deserving athlete compete in that spot and have their opportunity to shine.
https://duckduckgo.com/?t=ffcm&q=Simone+Biles&atb=v1-1&iax=images&ia=images
Looking at images, she’s either all smiles when she’s getting positive attention or otherwise looks like she’s not a happy camper.
We used to call that being a spoiled brat.
and I think if she knew that if they won they would have knelt for the flag or something..I dont buy that theory, because even if they all did, if she stood up for the flag that is what would have happened..and honestly watching those girls perform, I doubt they would have knelt for the flag just dont see it..so I think Simone quit on the team for whatever reason she chose to, either way it was selfish, if she didnt want to go to the Olympics fine, someone else could have taken her spot, but she chose to go there and instead of finishing with the team, bailed on them
See my post #39 for the GOAT.
So sad to see a great gymnast whose legacy will be that of a quitter.
No one forced her to compete in the games, someone else could have taken her spot instead of her
SHE CHOKED!!!
Simone Biles: ‘Being Head Star Isn’t an Easy Feat’
https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/3979634/posts
Mental Health?
We’ve come a long way since ATLANTA 1996, When an injured Kerri Strug REFUSED TO QUIT and landed on one leg in the vault to help her team win GOLD.
I Never heard Kerri Strug whine and moan about her “mental health” or even her injury. All we know is she tried her best under the circumstances and refused to give up. Now THAT is the spirit and courage of a true Olympian
I weep for the future.
This is the screening process in military special forces. Finding the guys who mentally quit before their body physically quits. She just spectacularly failed.
Simone Biles: ‘Being Head Star Isn’t an Easy Feat’
https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/3979634/posts
Definitely no Mary Lou is she?
The kid is burned out. Really sad because she has a God given talent. Hope she finds her way..
Whatever happened to Bruce Jenner? Seemed like the type who could run for political office but haven’t heard from him in years.
—Said NO Olympic competitor, EVER!”
Or maybe not.
She’s the Most Dominant Cyclist in the World. And She’s About to Retire in Her Prime.
“It’s essential to note that Van der Breggen’s exit is also driven by another ambition: she’s eager to have children. “My husband is older than me and if you want to start a family, you need to think about it,” she says matter-of-factly.
“Winning races is important, but I don’t think that’s the end-all deal for someone like Anna,” says Frattini. She says it was noteworthy that van der Breggen went public early about her desire to start a family; top female athletes, worried about contracts and sponsors, can be guarded about sharing such plans.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/anna-van-der-breggen-tokyo-olympics-cycling-11627031387
She should have stood on a balance beam and screamed “NO MAS, NO MAS”. Wait ... that was done already minus the balance beam.
“Traitor to her teammates”? I thought she pulled out because of an injury to her foot / ankle during a landing while performing on the horse. If she’d tried to continue, injured, and failed, what would you be saying?
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