Simone Biles Prioritizes Mental Health at Tokyo 2020
Simone Biles withdrew from multiple events at the Tokyo Olympics citing mental health, sparking a global conversation about athlete wellbeing and redefining strength.
At the Tokyo 2020 Olympics (held in 2021 due to COVID-19), American gymnast Simone Biles — widely considered the greatest gymnast of all time — withdrew from the team final and four individual event finals, citing the "twisties" (a dangerous spatial disorientation) and mental health concerns. The decision stunned the sporting world. Some criticized her; many more praised her courage. Biles returned to win bronze on the balance beam. Her withdrawal sparked a global conversation about mental health in elite sport, following Naomi Osaka's French Open withdrawal weeks earlier. Biles' decision redefined athletic strength — it took more courage to stop than to continue. She returned triumphantly at the 2024 Paris Olympics, winning three gold medals and one silver, cementing her legacy as the greatest.
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