Simone Biles revealed her Aunt passed away just two days before returning to the Olympics.
The legendary gymnast returned to action yesterday’s balance beam competition, after withdrawing from several events to focus on her mental health.
The American is also suffering from twisties, a mental block that sees competitors lose their sense of spatial awareness.
She explained how it has affected her in a social media quote which read: "It has never transferred to bars and beam for me. This time it's literally in every event which sucks.
"(You) literally cannot tell up from down. It's the craziest feeling ever, not having an inch of control over your body."
However, the 24-year-old was dealing with even more than we initially thought, as she the tragic news from back home in the States.
She told reporters: “I woke up the other day and my aunt had unexpectedly passed and I’m like, you guys have no idea what we’re going through.”
Biles’ coach Cecile Canqueteau-Landi explained to the media what happened next after her star athlete tried to process the shocking news.
“I was like, ‘Oh my God. This week needs to be over.” she gasped.
“I asked [Simone] what do you need. And she said, ‘I just need some time.’ I said, ‘You call me, text me if you need anything I’ll be here. Whatever that is.’
“She called her parents. She said, ‘There’s nothing I can do from over here. So I’m just going to finish my week and when I get home we’ll deal with it.’”
The seven-time Olympic medallist showed incredible strength and determination en route to winning a bronze medal in the balance beam, arguably her most cherished achievement to date.
She beamed with pride after finishing her impressive routine which was greeted with cheers and hugs from her team and fellow competitors.
Biles posted on Instagram earlier this morning: “[It's] not at all how I imagined or dreamed my second Olympics would go, but blessed to represent the USA.
"Thanks everyone for the endless love and support. I'm truly grateful. Leaving Tokyo with two more Olympic medals to add to my collection isn't too shabby! 7 time Olympic medallist."
At Tokyo 2020 Simone Biles showed the world how important it is to prioritise your mental health, while also illustrating her greatness once again by winning a medal in trying circumstances.
