“Could End Up Paralyzed”: Simone Biles’ Fans Call Out ‘Quitter’ Tag After Paris Olympics Favorite Drops Netflix Premiere
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July 27, 2021. A date that every Olympic-watching American will remember for the rest of their lives. For that was the day Simone Biles, the most accomplished gymnast in the history of her sport, withdrew from the All-around final (slated to be held two days later), at the Tokyo Olympics. “We should be out here having fun and that’s just not the case,” is what Biles had said, while justifying her action. Already plagued by mental health issues and twisties, the next two years were an uphill task for the then 24-year-old.
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There were critics. There was noise. And then, there was a clamor calling her “quitter of the year”. But, the 7x Olympic medalist was far from done. In March 2023, Biles met her coach Cecile over a glass of margarita, and soon after, she followed up on her promise… She vaulted back into form at the 2023 US Gymnastics Championship. But then again, these make for a stellar storyline. We suggest you a better alternative—see it for yourself in the four-part Netflix documentary, Simone Biles Rising. The trailer is out already!
With Part-1 releasing on July 17, the documentary will follow Biles’ road to her “unfinished business”. And, as expected, after the trailer released on June 19, the conversation around Biles’ sudden departure reared its head again, but not for long. After the 9x US All-Around champion shared her turmoil surrounding the criticism, fans once again shut down the conjectures around the sneers.
As the trailer gave a peek at 2021, showing Biles walking out of the Ariake Gymnastics Center, many fans flocked to the comment section to pen their regard for the gymnast’s decision.
Simone Biles garnered acclaim as she is “going for another Olympic run”
One of her admirers added, “Good for her for pulling out when she didn’t feel right. People gave her a lot of cr*p for it too. What was she supposed to do, continue anyway and risk being permanently injured or even killed? These stunts that she does are insanely dangerous and have to be executed just right, or else she could end up paralyzed or something.”
Should athletes be more transparent about their mental health issues?
Yes
definitely
No
it’s personal
Sometimes
Only if it affects performance
Truly, Biles’ mental health struggles were akin to a physical injury. In the gymnast’s own words: “Say up until you’re 30 years old, you have your complete eyesight (then) one morning, you wake up, you can’t see sh*t, but people tell you to go on and do your daily job as if you still have your eyesight… You’d be lost, wouldn’t you? That’s the only thing I can relate it to. I have been doing gymnastics for 18 years. I woke up – lost it. How am I supposed to go on with my day?”
More so, after scoring 14.000 in the women’s balance beam category in Tokyo, Biles went on to perform her vault routine but when she landed, she knew, it was the case of twisties, and her first thought was, “I am going to be banned from America.” But, her supporters never failed to cheer her up.
Hence, calling out the social media cult, a fan mentioned, “Anyone who thinks she’s a quitter or betrayed our country has obviously never hurled themselves 15 feet in the air and performed a mind blowing skill. As much as the sport is physical, it’s also mental and if she felt something was off, that is seriously dangerous. She did what she needed to do to keep herself safe.
Joining forces with Biles’ fandom, NFL safety Jonathan Owens can also be seen commending his wife in the trailer. “She bounced back and she really opened my eyes,” stated Owens.
All along, Simone Biles stood firm on the fact that “Sometimes you have to take the power back,” – and she did exactly that when she stepped on the mat in August 2023. Following this, she made sure to first clinch the 2023 US Core Hydration Classic title and then the 2023 Xfinity Gymnastics title. She then concluded her comeback year by bagging the 6th World All-Around title in Belgium.
Interestingly, the gymnast’s 2016 Rio Olympics’ Final-Five teammate Aly Raisman also joined the clan and acclaimed the 9x US All-Around champion. On the other hand, British gymnast Max Whitlock gave a one-word regard and tagged the trailer of the documentary as “powerful.”
Nonetheless, Simone Biles credits the major chunk of her success to the people who supported her and helped her navigate the rough waters. “I wanted to quit like 500,000 times and I would’ve if it weren’t for my people,” acknowledged the gymnast. With 9 national champion titles, 4 Olympic gold medals, and 5 moves named after her, Biles, indeed, soared to great heights with A body in motion, and A life in Balance.
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