Between therapy and titles
Great fears continue to fly with Simone Biles
08/28/2023 2:46 p.m
Simone Biles becomes US champion for a record eighth time. It is more than likely that the exceptional gymnast will return to the international stage at the World Championships in October. But enormous pressure and the resulting fears continue to play a role.
Three weeks after her glittering comeback, gymnastics queen Simone Biles has set a new record at the US Championships. Thanks to a strong performance on the floor, the 26-year-old three-time world athlete secured her eighth all-around title. At the same time, she is the oldest champion in the king’s competition for 60 years. The four-time Olympic champion and 19-time world champion, who withdrew for two years after the 2021 Olympic Games in Tokyo due to mental problems, finished the all-around with 118,450 points to the cheers of the crowd in San José, California. She is also qualified for the World Championships in Antwerp, Belgium, at the beginning of October.
Bile’s jumps on the gymnastics podium were again as huge as the comeback three weeks ago, but mentally Simone Biles continues to take small steps. “It has worked quite well so far, which is why my personal goals remain private,” said the record world champion adamantly. Her return to the international stage in Antwerp can be taken for granted. The 2024 Olympics in Paris, on the other hand, are not yet included in her considerations, she repeatedly replied to relevant questions in San José.
Fear of being crushed again
The 26-year-old’s fears of being overwhelmed by the excessive expectations of the US public, as was the case at the Summer Games in Tokyo 2021, seem to be too great. At the time, the three-time World Athlete of the Year had to drop out prematurely due to mental disorientation, known as twisties.
The 1.42 m small exceptional athlete is still in weekly therapeutic treatment to further stabilize her psyche. Which apparently includes evading external influences as much as possible, even verbally. That’s why the Texan reacted evasively to the mention of her current records as that of the oldest US champion for 60 years. Biles: “I’ve been doing gymnastics for so long, I don’t think about things like that anymore. I’d rather be busy with my exercises.”
And she may even enjoy her return to Antwerp’s Sportpaleis. It was there that Biles, as a newcomer, won the first two of her 19 World Championship gold medals ten years ago.