A month removed from a trying trip to Tokyo for the 2020 Summer Olympics, and Simone Biles has had a chance to reflect on what transpired. She’s holding her head high after an up-and-down personal performance.
After being beset by the “twisties,” a dangerous issue that gymnasts can face that makes it difficult for them to judge where they are during aerial events, she withdrew from a number of competitions. Team USA would go on to win silver after her withdrawal from the team event. She’d eventually return and win bronze in the individual balance beam.
“Can’t believe it’s already been a month,” Biles wrote on Instagram Sunday. “Definitely not the way I planned the olympics going but I wouldn’t change anything for the world. I’m proud of myself and the career I’ve had thus far.
“This olympics doesn’t erase the past accomplishments I’ve achieved nor does it define who I am as an athlete. I’ve pushed through so much the past couple years , the word quitter is not in my vocabulary. For some of you that may be how you define me but keep talking because I can’t hear you over my 7 olympic medals which tied me for the most decorated gymnast EVER as well as most decorated american gymnast.”
There’s not much you can say in response to that from Simone Biles. Even if her performance in Tokyo didn’t live up to the outrageous hype put forward for her, it doesn’t take away from what she accomplished during the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, or the rest of her incredible gymnastics career.
She has also made an incredible impact on sports thanks to her willingness to speak out about the abused she suffered at the hands of former team doctor Larry Nassar, bringing to light his heinous conduct.
The 24-year old is clearly in the pantheon of all-time great U.S. Olympians and is among the greatest, if not the greatest, gymnast in history.
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