Simone Biles, during the bar final. /
Tokyo 2020 | Gymnastics
The American, who returned to the competition after overcoming her mental health problems, finished third in the bar final behind the Chinese Chenchen Guan and Xijing Tang
Simone Biles returned to the scene this Tuesday after having given up her other finals (team, ground, jump and bars) to prioritize her mental health. Overwhelmed by pressure, the American, who aimed to be one of the great queens of the Olympic event due to the difficulty and precision of her exercises, was forced to step aside to begin a deep inner reflection. After receiving the love and understanding of world sport, and after overcoming the ghosts, he did not want to say goodbye to Tokyo without competing and today he has monopolized the spotlight in the balance beam final. He has also conquered glory by hanging himself with the bronze, although his true great triumph has been to be able to return to competition. A happy lap that ended with a medal.
After his team announced yesterday the return of what is considered the best gymnast in the world, the balance final was the only and last opportunity to enjoy in Tokyo one of the great legends of the Games, four-time Olympic champion in Rio 2016. An appointment where a bronze was also hung precisely on the only device in which it has finally participated in these Games. The American showed her courage by playing her only bullet in the trick perhaps more complicated for her.
After days of intimate reflections in the Olympic Village, Simone Biles, 24 years old and also six times world champion, came out of the couch and today appeared serene, firm, greeting the cameras as if her fears had been just a bad dream.
Biles, apparently serene, participated in third place and performed an exercise that was highly applauded and that ended with a big smile and put her hand to her heart before receiving the loving embrace of each of her rivals. A performance with which she has obtained a score of 14,000, behind the Chinese Chenchen Guan (14,633) and Xijing Tang and (14,233).
The American, who also won silver in the team final despite her retirement, leaves Tokyo adding the seventh Olympic medal of her career, her second bronze, and leaving open the debate on the importance of mental health in athletes.
.
