Why Simone Biles is More than a Champion Gymnast

It is destined to be the most unusual Olympics thanks to the COVID pandemic.

But the withdrawal this week by Simone Biles, who’s considered the greatest women’s gymnast of all time, from the team competition, has stunned the summer Games just days after they began.

A team official issued a statement saying, "Simone has withdrawn…due to a medical issue…and she will be assessed daily to determine medical clearance for future competitions."

Simon’s withdrawal left the way for the Russian team to win the gold medal for the first time since the end of the Soviet Union.And the USA team had to settle for the silver.

Going into the Olympics, Simone Biles was the clear star among all U.S athletes and was getting most of the attention in the media.Not only for her amazing athletic talents but for being a personable and humble person and one of the U.S. female gymnasts who have been recovering from the horrific sexually abuse that went on.

There were early reports that it was an emotional or mental health issue? Simone had recently posted a comment on social media that said:

“I truly do feel like I have the weight of the world on my shoulders at times. I know I brush it off and make it seem like pressure doesn’t affect me but …sometimes it’s hard…. BUT I’m happy my family was able to be with me virtually,” she said. “They mean the world to me!”

No matter what she ends up doing or not doing in the Olympics, Simone Biles is a champion not only as an athlete but as a human being.

(Photo Getty Images)