American gymnastic superstar Simone Biles returned home with a bronze medal from the Tokyo Olympics. The 24-year-old withdrew from various events saying that she was suffering from the twisties, a mental block in which gymnasts get lost in the air and cannot ascertain where they are. Biles said that she could not figure out where her body is in relation to the ground when in the air.
“I had no idea where I was in the air. You can literally see it in my eyes in the pictures like I was petrified,” Biles spoke of her performance in a team event during an interview with the Today show.
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However, a few questions are bound to chase her. What next? Will the four-time gold medal winner at Rio Olympics participate at the Paris Games in 2024?
“I just need to process this whole thing first,” she said at a news conference in Tokyo. However, talking to the Today, Biles went on to admit that she’s “keeping the door open” to the Paris games.
When asked if she will take up coaching the gymnast said, “Maybe one day, I have no idea what’s going to happen. I’m just going to take it day by day.”
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Simone Biles said that the bronze she won in Tokyo meant “more than all the golds because I’ve pushed through so much the last five years and the last week,”
“I’m a human being, and I’ve done some courageous things outside of this sport,” she said in the interview.
“I don’t think, if this situation didn’t happen, I would have never seen it that way,” she added.
With 19 world championships and four Olympic gold medals, Biles is one of the most decorated gymnasts.
What next?
Simone Biles’ coach, Cecile Canqueteau-Landi, said that the athlete is openly talking about therapy.
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“Honestly, I think we all should do it. No shame on it. I think I might need to. It’s been one hell of a week — some very highs, some very lows,” Canqueteau-Landi told reporters in Tokyo, according to the Dallas Morning News.
She deserves some vacation, the coach added, according to People. “I think she needs a good break. We’re going to go back to work but I’m happy for her that she gets to go back to her family, her boyfriend, her dog. She’s just going to go home and enjoy.”
However, Biles will be seen in the Gold Over America Tour starting next month.
“I love the sport of gymnastics and wanted to help create a show that celebrates the pure joy of performing,” Biles said while announcing the tour.