What better way to cure his distress than with a medal at the Olympic Games? American star Simone Biles returned to competition this Tuesday after withdrawing from the team tournament and most of the individual disciplines… With a bronze medal up for grabs. Of course, it’s not worth the Olympic gold won four times by the gymnast, but this charm will have a very special taste.
The 24-year-old American performed more soberly than usual but very clean, which earned her a score of 14,000. Biles notably reserved her exit, performing fewer spectacular spins. The fault lies in his lack of confidence, causing a loss of bearings in space. The main thing was not there for the gymnast who placed her hand on her heart and ran into the arms of her coach at the end of her performance. A smile that we had almost forgotten during these Games.
After her team withdrawal, the gymnast explained having to deal with her “old demons” and no longer having as much confidence in herself. That she also felt strong psychological pressure. “I need to do what’s right for me and focus on my mental health. We are human, we must protect our minds, rather than doing what the world expects of us. » The American superstar was notably the victim of sexual assault by Larry Nassar, the former doctor of the women’s team, during her adolescence.
The ovation of the Japanese public
Despite her health problems and her five withdrawals during these Olympic Games in Tokyo, Simone Biles still returned from the Japanese capital with silver from the team competition, and her bronze medal on beams.
Given a standing ovation by the public – mainly made up of staff – before her appearance, the superstar was also generously applauded throughout her performance. A highlight of these Tokyo Olympics. For the rest of the competition, 16-year-old Chinese Chenchen Guan went for gold for her first participation in the Olympics. History will remember, for once, the bronze medalist.
