In the spotlight after Tokyo drama
Cautious Biles returns to magical place
September 28, 2023, 9:11 p.m
Superstar Simone Biles is celebrating her comeback on the big stage at the upcoming World Cup – and, despite all the problems, is already thinking about the Olympic Games in Paris. The athlete has now made the topic of mental health a top priority.
Shortly before her big comeback in the World Cup gold hunt in the diamond city of Antwerp, Simone Biles took her breath away. “It broke my heart to see that,” the gymnastics superstar wrote on .
“There is no place for racism in any sport or at all,” Biles wrote. In the past, the American would hardly have commented on this so shortly before title fights and would have focused entirely on her exercises. But Biles no longer sees herself as just an athlete; she also devotes a lot of time to social problems. Racism is part of it. And also the topic of mental health, which concerns her so much.
“I have to make time for the important things”
Because the Olympics in Tokyo left their mark. “I think I have to take care of myself a little more and listen to my body,” said the 26-year-old, who suddenly dropped out of the team final due to mental disorientation problems, known as twisties. The huge expectations overwhelmed the three-time world athlete and she lost track of where she was in the air. Nevertheless, Biles still won a bronze medal in Tokyo.
But after that she pulled the ripcord, took a break, married football star Jonathan Owens and found herself again. “I need to make sure I make time for the important things in my life instead of just pushing, pushing, pushing like I used to,” said Biles, who made her comeback in early August. Most recently, with spectacular elements, she became US champion in the all-around for the eighth time – something that has never happened before.
Still receiving therapeutic treatment
So now the return to the big stage, in the Sportpaleis in Antwerp, all eyes will be on Biles. The 1.42 meter short exceptional athlete still receives weekly therapeutic treatment in order to further stabilize her psyche. “This time it’s about acting consciously,” said Biles, so that “everything is in harmony.”
This is the only way she can make bigger plans again. And aim for the Olympics in Paris. “That’s the path I’d like to take,” Biles said. And Antwerp is the perfect starting point for this trip, because this is where her star rose ten years ago. This is where the magical journey began. At that time, Biles won the first two of her 19 World Championship gold medals in the diamond city.