Why did Simone Biles take a break from gymnastics? Olympian returns to sport after 2-year hiatus, wins 3 titles
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS: Simone Biles made a remarkable comeback to competitive gymnastics on Saturday, August 5, 2023, after a two-year break. The accomplished athlete, who holds four Olympic gold medals, returned to the stage in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, where she put on an exceptional performance in front of a packed audience at the US Classic. Biles claimed victory in the All-Around, Balance Beam, and Floor Exercise events.
The Olympian delivered outstanding performances, outshining her rivals Jordan Chiles, Katelyn Jong, and Leanne Wong. She earned impressive scores of 14 on the uneven bars, 14.8 on the balance beam, 14.9 in the floor exercise, and a remarkable 15.4 in the vault. Biles' resurgence was nothing short of remarkable, especially considering retirement appeared imminent for the decorated gymnast. However, she made a strategic decision not to withdraw from the anti-doping pool, thereby, preserving the possibility of a return for the upcoming Paris Olympics in 2024.
Why did Simone Biles take a break from gymnastics?
Biles took a break from competitive gymnastics to prioritize her mental health. Her return came after a challenging period during the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, where she withdrew from the women's team final due to experiencing the "twisties". This mental block is a frightening phenomenon that can cause athletes to lose their sense of orientation and position while in mid-air, posing serious risks to their safety and performance.
Despite the setback in Tokyo, Biles' triumphant return to the sport at the US Classic demonstrated her resilience and determination to continue excelling in the world of gymnastics. After withdrawing from four consecutive individual finals during the Olympics, she made a fleeting comeback in the balance beam event, earning a bronze medal. However, she has not participated in any competitions since then and has remained absent from the sport for the past two years.
Simone Biles was sexually abused by doctor Larry Nassar
She had also subtly suggested that her decision to step away was influenced, at least in part, by the traumatic experience of sexual abuse she endured under the care of pedophile doctor Larry Nassar. Biles is among the staggering number of over 150 gymnasts who fell victim to the abuse perpetrated by Nassar, the former national team doctor, over the course of his 30-year career. In 2019, she bravely disclosed the profound impact of the assaults, revealing that the trauma had plunged her into a dark struggle with suicidal thoughts. During that difficult period, Biles admitted to seeking solace in excessive sleep, seeing it as a means to escape the pain, as it felt like "the closest thing to death", as per Daily Mail. She also shared that she was actively undergoing therapy to confront and cope with the deep emotional wounds inflicted by the abuse.
Nassar is currently serving hundreds of years in prison for convictions in state and federal courts. He admitted sexually assaulting athletes when he worked at Michigan State University and at Indianapolis-based USA Gymnastics which reportedly trains Olympians. Nassar also pleaded guilty to possessing child pornography.
