‘I’m much more than my accomplishments’: Biles thanks supporters
Tokyo, Jul 29 (EFE).- American gymnast Simone Biles has thanked supporters after she announced her withdrawal from two Tokyo Olympics events to protect her mental health.
Biles pulled out of the women’s team final on Tuesday after the first rotation, with her team going on to claim silver, as well as the all-round competition, which she won in Rio in 2016.
“The outpouring [of] love & support I’ve received has made me realize I’m more than my accomplishments and gymnastics which I never truly believed before,” the 24-year-old superstar wrote in a tweet, which has received more than half a million likes and prompted hundreds of messages further backing the athlete.
USA Gymnastics said her decision to withdraw from the two events was made “out of an abundance of caution for her mental and physical well-being.”
CEO Li Li Leung touted her “bravery and selflessness.”
On Monday, Biles had written on Instagram that she felt “the weight of the world” on her shoulders.
“I know I brush it off and make it seem like pressure doesn’t affect me but damn sometimes it’s hard,” she said.
She will be evaluated daily by team doctors before deciding whether to compete in the individual events on Aug. 1-3. EFE
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