When talking about mental health in athletes, it is normal to first think of Simone Biles. The American athlete is not only known for being one of the best gymnasts in the world but she has also used her global platform to speak about her struggles with mental health. In preparation for the Paris Olympics, where Biles aims to shine once again, Netflix released a docuseries that delves deeper into the athlete’s figure.
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At the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, at just 19 years old, the American athlete dazzled with four gold medals and one bronze. It was clear that a star had been born and everything pointed to another display at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where she could even break her own records. However, in a shocking move, Biles stopped and decided to prioritize her mental health.
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What does Simone Biles say about mental health?
“I simply believe that mental health is more important than sports right now,” Biles said after breaking down under pressure. The gymnast experienced twisties, a disconnect between mind and body that, as other gymnasts defending the American claim, “is dangerous and puts your life at risk.”
‘Simone Biles-Rising again’ (Simone Biles rises again) tells the story of Biles from Tokyo to Paris just days before the start of the 2024 Olympic Games. Starting on July 17th, the new Netflix docuseries has premiered two out of the four episodes where viewers can see the athlete fall, cry, get back up, and laugh.
The new production reveals Tokyo's early moments, marked by uncertainty and the destructive criticism that Biles received on social media, up to her preparation for this new Olympic appointment.
“I felt the silence, it was as if I were deaf. If I could have run out of the stadium, I would have. I felt like I was in a prison inside my head and my body. I was ashamed for having withdrawn and on social media they referred to me as a quitter and loser,” she admits in the Netflix documentary.