Whether you’ve been watching the Olympics or not, the news surrounding Simone Biles’ withdrawal from the Olympic events has been the topic of conversation for the past few days. In a statement made by Simone, she said, “I have to put my pride aside. I have to do what’s right for me and focus on my mental health and not jeopardize my health and well-being. That’s why I decided to take a step back.” Simone Biles has dominated the world of gymnastics and has proven to be one of the greatest athletes of all times. Simone has competed in five world championships, winning 19 gold medals, 3 silver medals, and 2 bronze medals overall. In fact, because of her prowess on the floor, officials lower the scoring bar because there’s no comparison to her skill. Let me clarify my last sentence. Lowering the scoring bar is not a positive. Others don’t measure up, so the scoring is lowered for them. I shake my head at the nonsense. Her decision to withdraw from the Olympic events has received such an outpouring of support and not surprisingly, some criticism. Earlier this week, Texas’ deputy AG, Aaron Reitz, tweeted that Simone was a “selfish, childish national embarrassment”. His comment sparked outrage and he later deleted the tweet and apologized. Why make the comment in the first place? He said he made the comment in a moment of frustration and disappointment. Honestly, I question whether he apologized because he was truly sorry for what he tweeted or because he was pressured to give an apology due to his public position as deputy AG? In my opinion, it may be the latter. I’m a believer of out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth (in his case, the tweet) speaks. What about her mental health and wellbeing? That goes way beyond a team win.
Black athletes have added pressures that other athletes do not have to be concerned with. They are scrutinized for so many things: appearance, the way their hair looks, what they say in public, etc. Factor in their dominance for the sport they play. It’s unfair that rules are changed because of their greatness. People have unreasonable expectations that athletes of color must be great all the time and judge them more harshly when they’re not. Maybe it’s just me, but when Kevin Love of the Cleveland Cavaliers had to sit out the rest of a game against the Atlanta Hawks a few years ago due to a panic attack, the world seemed to embrace him. Why can’t that same understanding be extended to athletes of color? No, they’re expected to suck it up and keep playing. They are human and their feelings matter too.
I’m so proud of Simone. To me, she is a true champion on and off the floor. She cheered her teammates on, even after withdrawing from the Olympic events. That speaks volumes. Simone shouldn’t have to keep explaining. As Jemele Hill said earlier this week, “Simone Biles has nothing to prove to you”. She really doesn’t. She shouldn’t have to sacrifice herself for her craft. She stepped away to protect her health and mental wellbeing. No additional explanations and certainly no apologies needed. Simone is more than being the greatest gymnast. Simone is enough. I wish her peace and blessings.
