Sport2 min(s) read
Published 11:36 03 Aug 2021 GMT
Simone Biles has managed an impressive score the in women’s balance beam final.
Biles won bronze on the balance beam in her last chance to win a medal in the Tokyo Olympic Games, per New York Post.
The 24-year-old earned a favorable score of 14.0 from the judges, which placed her in third behind China’s Guan Chenchen and Tang Xijing, respectively.
On Tuesday, July 27, Biles provoked controversy after she announced that she was withdrawing from the women's team all-around gymnastics final, and the individual all-around final - citing concerns regarding her own mental health.
She also expressed concern that she had developed something called the "twisties" (e.g. when gymnasts get lost in the air during their acrobatic maneuvers) which had indirectly led to her scoring her lowest Olympic vault score.
Per BBC News, Biles stated: "After the performance I did, I just didn't want to go on. I have to focus on my mental health. I just think mental health is more prevalent in sports right now.
We have to protect our minds and our bodies and not just go out and do what the world wants us to do. We're not just athletes. We're people at the end of the day and sometimes you just have to step back."
Biles added: "I didn't want to go out and do something stupid and get hurt. I feel like a lot of athletes speaking up has really helped. It's so big, it's the Olympic Games. At the end of the day, we don't want to be carried out of there on a stretcher."
The young woman later thanked her fans for their support during these difficult times in a statement shared on Twitter. In a tweet addressed to her 1.6 million followers on the platform, Biles stated:
"The outpouring love & support I’ve received has made me realize I’m more than my accomplishments and gymnastics which I never truly believed before. [sic]"
Indeed, a number of celebrities have since stepped in to defend her from critics and have praised her caution and exhibition of self-care.
For example, former FLOTUS Michelle Obama took to Twitter on July 28 to write: "I'm I good enough? Yes, I am. The mantra I practice daily. @Simone_Biles, we are proud of you and we are rooting for you. Congratulations on the silver medal, Team @USA! [sic]"
