Simone Biles watched the men’s all-around final on Thursday
(Picture: Mike Egerton/ PA Wire)A gymnastics coach’s response to the backlash Simone Biles has received over her Olympics journey has gone viral and is shutting down all her critics.
Andrea Orris, posting on Instagram, slammed those criticising the athlete and explained that if Biles had continued competing she could have been seriously injured. It was later shared to Twitter by actor Brandon Marino, prompting it to go viral.
It said:
From a gymnast friend regarding Simone Biles 🐐❤️ pic.twitter.com/4eWPIgi4yf
— Brandon Marino (@TheBatMarino) July 27, 2021
It comes after Biles withdraw from Thursday’s women’s all-around final, citing a desire to focus on her mental health, triggering mass support and concern for her wellbeing but also some backlash.
In an interview after she pulled out after one rotation of the women’s team final on Tuesday, Biles said: “After the performance I did, I just didn’t want to go on. I have to focus on my mental health. I just think mental health is more prevalent in sports right now.”
She continued: “We have to protect our minds and our bodies and not just go out and do what the world wants us to do. I don’t trust myself as much anymore. Maybe it’s getting older. There were a couple of days when everybody tweets you and you feel the weight of the world.”
Despite this reasonable excuse, the 24-year-old athlete was slammed by people we couldn’t imagine doing any sort of backflip. Piers Morgan, for instance, said:
Athletes are now deemed more courageous, inspiring & heroic if they lose or quit then if they win or tough it out, which is ridiculous.
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) July 27, 2021
I blame Twitter’s virtue-signallers for fuelling this culture of celebrating weakness. The real world doesn’t think like that.
But Biles has also received an outpouring of support from others who said she was right to protect her mental health.
Am I good enough? Yes, I am. The mantra I practice daily. @Simone_Biles, we are proud of you and we are rooting for you. Congratulations on the the silver medal, Team @USA! 🎊
— Michelle Obama (@MichelleObama) July 28, 2021
And her fellow athletes echoed these sentiments:
All my support to @Simone_Biles. Mental health is a key component of our health, and it MUST be a priority always. We need the sports world to focus on emotional and mental well-being a lot more.
— Pau Gasol (@paugasol) July 28, 2021
Thank you for using your platform, you are a true champion! #MentalHealth pic.twitter.com/4Ym3E9VAEf
. @Simone_Biles you’ve pushed boundaries time and time again. Rest up & take time pic.twitter.com/ktAmF0UmAc
— Max Whitlock MBE (@maxwhitlock1) July 28, 2021
Biles herself retweeted Orris’ support, prompting people to read it. It has received over 191,000 likes and, reacting to it, people thought it was right to emphasise that Biles had reasons to withdraw:
She's gone through a lot, FOR SURE!!! If she couldn't handle it (she knew how much pressure she'd B under) she should've stayed home & let someone else go in her place. THEN she would've gotten my respect & admiration. Just quitting on your team? That's just pure selfishness.
— Jeanne Sharrow (@jeanne_sharrow) July 28, 2021
Others said Biles was setting a good example to people by putting her health first and should not listen to those who criticise her:
Can we add to that statement that Simone Biles doesn’t owe a damn thing to anyone else? #ISupportSimoneBiles
— Kimberly (@kwalker1897) July 28, 2021
Prioritizing oneself first is so difficult in this world especially w/ everything you’ve gone through. I’m proud of you for taking care of YOU @Simone_Biles 💪🏼 This also sets such a great example for young black youth about mental health being So important🙏🏼
— Delta (@flyingsauceitup) July 28, 2021
WhAtever people might say she is gold to me! She is a true champion. A warrior. A survivor. A role model . A beautiful woman. She is pure gold: let’s it sink to the haters! Love you @Simone_Biles !
— grace teelbee (@GTeelbee) July 28, 2021
@Simone_Biles The USA stands with you. Whatever the reason a elite athlete needs to take a step back should be no concern to anyone but yourself. You do you, get better and we all hope to see you as a coach one day. Nothing but love, from the vast majority of us. Ignorehaters
— N (@Be_Nonexistent1) July 28, 2021
For her part, Orris said she was happy Biles saw her post and hoped she felt “validated, valued, and supported by her country and the gymnastics community.”
USA Gymnastics said Biles is yet to decide whether to withdraw from her four individual finals, which are scheduled to take place next week.
Biles won four gold medals in Rio in 2016 and was aiming to become the first gymnast to retain a female all-around title at the Games since Vera Caslavska in 1968.
We can only wish her well.
