Still the G.O.A.T.
7/29/2021, 6 p.m.
It took real courage for gymnast Simone Biles to withdraw from team and individual all-around events this week at the Olympics in Tokyo.
But after losing her orientation during a challenging vault dismount, the 24-year-old came to the sensible conclusion that her mental health and physical well-being are much more important than a medal competition.
Ms. Biles is the most decorated gym- nast in U.S. history. She has won 27 gold medals in international gymnastic competitions since 2013, when she was just 16. Four are from the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
Even with her withdrawal, Ms. Biles is still a winner in our book as she brings global attention to the issue of athletes, mental health and performance.
Before the Olympic Games opened last week with tennis star Naomi Osaka lighting the Olympic flame, we could feel through the media coverage and hype the heavy expectations placed on Ms. Biles to bring home the gold again for the United States.
Ms. Osaka, who withdrew from the French Open in May because of such burdens and expectations, shocked the tennis world when she announced that her mental health was more important than any competition, huge trophy or big purse.
Ms. Biles now reinforces that message and the importance of mental health and its impact on performance.
We wish Ms. Biles all the best in the coming days and weeks.
To us and to so many others, she will always be the G.O.A.T., the greatest of all time.
