#SimoneBiles became one of 2021’s most powerful conversations when the world’s greatest gymnast withdrew from Olympic events to prioritize her mental health, sparking a global discussion about athlete wellbeing and the pressure of elite competition.
On July 27, 2021, during the Tokyo Olympics team gymnastics final, Biles withdrew after one vault, citing mental health concerns and experiencing “the twisties”—a dangerous phenomenon where gymnasts lose spatial awareness mid-air. She subsequently withdrew from the individual all-around final and multiple event finals.
The decision shocked the sports world. Biles, widely considered the greatest gymnast of all time with 32 Olympic and World Championship medals, was expected to dominate Tokyo 2020. Her withdrawal could have been met with criticism, but instead sparked an outpouring of support.
#SimoneBiles trended as athletes, celebrities, and millions of people worldwide praised her courage in prioritizing mental health over medals. Her decision was seen as a watershed moment for athlete mental health awareness, following in the footsteps of conversations started by Naomi Osaka earlier that year.
Biles explained that the immense pressure and expectations had affected her mental state, and continuing to compete with the twisties could have resulted in serious injury. She emphasized that mental health should be treated with the same importance as physical health.
After withdrawing from several events, Biles returned to compete in the balance beam final on August 3, earning a bronze medal with a modified routine that reduced her risk. The moment was celebrated as a triumph of resilience and self-awareness.
The gymnast’s openness about her struggles helped destigmatize mental health challenges in sports. USA Gymnastics and the International Olympic Committee were forced to address how they support athlete mental wellbeing, particularly in the wake of the Larry Nassar abuse scandal.
#SimoneBiles represented a cultural shift in how society values athlete welfare over entertainment and medal counts. It challenged the “push through at all costs” mentality that had dominated competitive sports and validated prioritizing personal health over external expectations.