Simone Biles opened up about the challenges she faced when speaking publicly about mental health during one of the most important moments of her career. The Olympic gymnast reflected on the pressure that often comes with success at a young age and how athletes are sometimes expected to always appear strong and grateful.
Over the years, Biles has become one of the most prominent voices in sports when it comes to discussing mental well-being.
Simone Biles Opens Up About the Lesson She Wants Young Athletes To Learn
Biles has been one of the most successful gymnasts in the world, but her journey has not always been easy. Behind the medals and achievements, she has spoken about the pressure that came with competing at the highest level from a very young age. Over time, the constant expectations and intense training began to affect her mental well-being.
During one of the biggest moments of her career at the Tokyo Olympics, the star American gymnast made the difficult decision to withdraw from competition and focus on her mental health. The moment brought about a lot of backlash and also sparked global conversations about the importance of mental well-being in sports.
The Olympic gold medalist later chose to speak openly about her experience so that others, especially young athletes, would understand that taking care of mental health is just as important as winning medals. Biles reflected on the moment she decided to speak publicly about mental health despite knowing the criticism it might bring in an interview with Stylist Magazine.
The Olympic champion explained that the pressure surrounding elite sport often makes athletes feel they must always appear strong and grateful, even during difficult times. She also discussed the lesson she hopes people take from her experience, especially when it comes to prioritizing well-being over achievements and external success.
“I knew the backlash that I would face, I worried about being cancelled. But I also knew one thing: I wasn’t letting myself down. If there’s one lesson that I would teach every child or every adult today, ‘No medal, accolade, or exam result is more important than your mental health.’ Being successful at such a young age, I was expected to behave like a champion, to be grateful, to never complain,” Biles remarked.
The Olympic gold medalist also spoke about the support system that helped her navigate the pressures of elite gymnastics. She explained that while expectations around her success were high, the people closest to her tried to keep her grounded.
“I was lucky, though, my parents and coaches kept their focus on making sure that I was having fun and any talk of success was centered around what success was for me,” she added.
While the American has not officially announced retirement, Biles has said she is still considering whether she might return for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, though no final decision has been made yet.
