Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Simone Biles

211 replies

Cwtchycoopark · 29/07/2021 16:02

I had never seen her perform so I am currently down a YouTube rabbit hole and I am awe struck.She is phenomenally, jaw droppingly talented and you can just tell how much she loves it. She is a complete joy to watch. She has shown such courage in prioritising her mental health over what is expected from her.

OP posts:
Reallyreallyborednow · 29/07/2021 21:41

*I didn't know about this.

I'm going to read about it as my bedtime reading.

That's a heartbreaking story I'm so many ways*

Read about Julissa Gomez as well.

Sophoclesthefox · 29/07/2021 21:47

I felt so sorry for her, seeing her in the stands cheering her team mates on. She did look quite lost Sad

Im sorry we won’t get to see her compete, because she’s such a blazing talent, and such a joy to watch, but if she can’t do it, she can’t do it, and her long term health is far more important than these few days.

NiceGerbil · 29/07/2021 21:47

She does need applauding because-

Elite sportspeople are under a huge amount of pressure
Often they seem to be seen and treated almost like machines
Each event you have to prove your worth to a massive audience
Recently there has been a fair amount in the media about MH and sport. About how there's not enough recognition/ support. After the Japanese tennis player and Wimbledon.
For someone as utterly spectaculaly brilliant as SB the pressure is ramped up. Every event everyone watching is expecting not just good, great but awe inspiring.

To apply the word fail to her is pretty grim. She would have known what would happen when she withdrew. The publicity the judgement etc etc.

People are people and everyone has bad days at work. They can't get into it, aren't as productive as usual etc.

This is her job and she is human.

Yes she deserves applause IMO.

DownUnder87 · 29/07/2021 21:48

Poor Elena. She was incredibly talented. I'd put money on there being many casualties of the Soviet training system hidden away.

It is telling that Svetlana Khorkina, who has a Soviet approach to training and life in many ways Shock has came out to publically support Simone.

itsgettingwierd · 29/07/2021 21:48

Thanks I will.

I watched athlete A and found that an eye opener.

I'm really hoping sport changes for the better quicker.

I recently spoke to a dual club national swimmer who competes nationally/ regionally for one club ( so they can make a stronger relay at big comps) and for home club for county and lower events.

They said they didn't like the fact when the my won a medal at regionals it didn't have their home club who trained them and attached their coaches name to.

I gently and kindly pointed out she won that medal. She earned it and it was hers and she should be doing it for her.

People represent countries or clubs. But they don't compete for them - they should be doing that for themselves and their own goals.

Everydayisawindingroad · 29/07/2021 21:49

@choosername1234

I could t help feeling sorry for her teammates though, her withdrawing from the team event almost certainly cost them the gold medal. No doubt at all she made the right decision for her though
This. I feel terribly sorry for her teammates
NiceGerbil · 29/07/2021 21:51

I don't. They are a team. They wouldn't have wanted her to carry on like that.

Additionally, her withdrawing has given the rest of the team the opportunity to step out from her shadow. Not SBs fault obv but as a superstar coverage etc all eyes are on her.

A commentator alluded to this earlier.

mynameiscalypso · 29/07/2021 21:51

The teammates who won silver and, in particular, the teammate who won gold today? I think they'll get over it!

Winterjoy · 29/07/2021 21:52

@spinningspaniels

If her MH was that bad, she should never have taken her place on the team - but equally procedures should be in place to assess MH just as much as physical health before competing.
From the information available it seems like Simone may be dealing with Lost Move Syndrome - this condition is sudden onset so no amount of assessment would have helped.

Interesting story of a team GB trampolinist who suffered with the syndrome:
m.youtube.com/watch?v=YLY79ELaPJo

NiceGerbil · 29/07/2021 21:52

Well quite :)

NiceGerbil · 29/07/2021 21:52

Sorry that was reply to calypso.

Chilver · 29/07/2021 21:55

Simone doesn't owe anyone a performance or medal.

Winterjoy · 29/07/2021 22:00

@choosername1234

I could t help feeling sorry for her teammates though, her withdrawing from the team event almost certainly cost them the gold medal. No doubt at all she made the right decision for her though
Had she gone up on another apparatus and been unable to perform her skills they would have been off the podium completely!
itsgettingwierd · 29/07/2021 22:00

@Chilver

Simone doesn't owe anyone a performance or medal.
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
motherheroic · 29/07/2021 22:06

Simone made a massive mistake on the vault that could have been fatal, she was right to withdraw. She performs moves at such a high level that any mistake could paralyse or kill her.

People keep saying 'If her mental health was that bad she shouldn't have gone'. Firstly she went because she is the last surviving abuse victim still competing and she wants USGA to take accountability for it (which I sincerely doubt they will.)

Secondly she has massive pressure to compete. When the Olympics come around all you hear is Simone's name. What's Simone going to do? Will she secure more golds? Will she best her previous record? How many points will she rack up this time? Will she perform another never seen before move? It is no longer about Team USA but Simone. That's is an incredible weight on her shoulders.

SCMocha · 29/07/2021 22:07

I heard Beth Tweddle commentating and saying that if Simone had access to a training gym with soft landings and foam pits etc, it could help with her recovery or her assessment of how well she is at the moment. it sounds like that isn't part of the standard olympic facilities, which makes sense, but I wonder if there will be any way that she can get access to one, if she wants to. I think it would be excruciatingly hard for her to try to compete again with all the scrutiny on her now, so I wouldn't be at all surprised if she waits for a much lower key event, if she decides she wants to continue competing at all. But if she is able to do some of the other disciplines, then I hope she can access whatever facilities would help her make that decision.

Sophoclesthefox · 29/07/2021 22:09

@mynameiscalypso

The teammates who won silver and, in particular, the teammate who won gold today? I think they'll get over it!
Exactly! The silver lining for them, much as there will be disappointment, is that this is their chance to shine. Sunisa Lee was outstanding today, just an absolute star.
Ylvamoon · 29/07/2021 22:11

In my eyes, she deserves a gold medal for standing up for herself!
She is an inspiration for us all.

CliffsofMohair · 29/07/2021 22:33

@Oblomov21

I'm well aware of all those facts Downunder. They relate to childhood, awful abuse.

But she had all those issues at the last olympics and all the world championships, where she's won 30 medals.

So there must be a reason why her MH is bad now, of all times.

Given that I think all of her colleagues on the 2012 Olympics team were also survivors of the abuse, I wonder if the inevitable change in people around her, people who have not had those experiences has been somewhat destabilising.

I think she’s great. Good on her for recognising that gymnastics isn’t everything and she has more agency in the situation than people would believe.

RedToothBrush · 29/07/2021 22:36

@motherheroic

Simone made a massive mistake on the vault that could have been fatal, she was right to withdraw. She performs moves at such a high level that any mistake could paralyse or kill her.

People keep saying 'If her mental health was that bad she shouldn't have gone'. Firstly she went because she is the last surviving abuse victim still competing and she wants USGA to take accountability for it (which I sincerely doubt they will.)

Secondly she has massive pressure to compete. When the Olympics come around all you hear is Simone's name. What's Simone going to do? Will she secure more golds? Will she best her previous record? How many points will she rack up this time? Will she perform another never seen before move? It is no longer about Team USA but Simone. That's is an incredible weight on her shoulders.

Precisely why Team America Fuck Yeah failed her. Twice.

Even what Beth Tweddle said seems to back that up.

I don't believe that this will have been the first sign that she was struggling.

Needapoodle · 29/07/2021 22:38

and claiming mh issues/well being seems so attention seeking and immature just like the stupid bow on top of her head past the age of 12.

What is wrong with someone who would say this? Are you just a complete dickhead?

znaika · 29/07/2021 22:40

She really is the golden girl in the States and the face of the games for them. The pressure must have been immense. I hope she's alright...

NiceGerbil · 29/07/2021 22:45

Lol needapoodle.

You're speaking from experience as an Olympic gymnast hailed as monumentally incredible and with a massively high profile I assume?

Needapoodle · 29/07/2021 22:50

You're speaking from experience as an Olympic gymnast hailed as monumentally incredible and with a massively high profile I assume?

What?

Bunnycat101 · 29/07/2021 22:53

I’ve just watched Athlete A. Anyone criticising Simone can bugger off as far as I’m concerned.

Swipe left for the next trending thread