Simone Biles: A Brave Twist

Simone Biles is one of the most well-known world champions in gymnastics, with 30 total world medals including 23 gold medals. She is the sixth woman to win an individual all-around title at both the Olympics and the World Championships. She was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2022. 

Before the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, she withdrew from competing because she was facing intense pressure and a psychological phenomenon called “the twisties,” that causes gymnasts to lose air awareness and orientation while twisting. Many criticized Biles and accused her of quitting. She was smeared in the media with racist, sexist, and transphobic comments. She was also slandered by being accused of using drugs to cheat because of her need for ADHD medication. In response, Biles became an unwavering, vocal advocate for mental health awareness. She used her decision to withdraw from competition to spark a worldwide conversation. She is widely praised for bringing a spotlight to mental health struggles in sports, being open to acknowledge it, and encouraging others to speak about it. 

A new view of prioritizing health over performance in sports began to emerge because of Simone Biles. She partnered with organizations and used her fame as a platform to prioritize well-being. She made a triumphant comeback at the Paris Games in 2024 and won four more Olympic medals. Her courage to face criticism and reclaim her autonomy, and not allowing others to treat her as a property for the team or country, changed people’s perspectives on sports and showed how one can prevail over external expectations.