Olympian Simone Biles says she wishes she had quit before beginning the Tokyo Olympics. The four-time gold medalist. struggled with her mental health in the 2020 games. But the reasons were more personal than athletic.
Preparing to testify against Nassar
While training for her second Olympics, Biles was also preparing to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee for the investigation into Larry Nassar. The former USA Gymnastics doctor was accused of sexually assaulting hundreds of girls and women, including Biles.
Back in 2018, the 24-year-old told the world that she was a victim of sexual assault.
“I am too of the many survivors that was sexually abused by Larry Nassar,” she tweeted. “Please believe me when I say it was a lot harder to first speak those words out loud than it is to put them on paper.”
Other victims, McKayla Macroney, Aly Raisman, and Maggie Nichols testified alongside her. The FBI was first informed about Nassar’s allegations in 2015. However, the Justice Department failed to do anything about these allegations.
Biles withdrew from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics after an injury. But the gymnast wished she’d quit competing when word got out about Nassar.
“I should have quit way before Tokyo, when Larry Nassar was in the media for two years,” Biles told The Cut.
…..She lost an important family member
Also while in Japan she received unexpected news that her aunt had passed away just two days before she had to compete.
“Two days ago, I woke up and my aunt unexpectedly passed, and it wasn’t any easier being here at the Olympic Games,” Biles told CBS.
Her aunt’s passing and the chaos of going to court caused Biles to go into a depression. Withdrawing from the Olympics helped Biles focus on her mental health. Despite having a tough summer she continues to keep her head up.
Biles is currently on the Gold Over America tour where she hopes she can remain an inspiration to young gymnasts after her.
When she is not seeking to inspire, she is booed up. The 7-time Olympic medalist is currently dating Jonathan Owens of the Houston Texans.
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