Simone Biles’ sister is weighing in on the importance of mental health in the wake of the gold medalist's withdrawal from the gymnastics team competition at the Tokyo Olympics.
“Y’all are all about mental health until it no longer benefits you.. i can’t imagine being that inconsiderate WHEWWWW,” Adria Biles, the athlete's younger sister, wrote on Tuesday morning.
About an hour beforehand, USA Gymnastics had issued a statement, explaining, "Simone has withdrawn from the team final competition due to a medical issue. She will be assessed daily to determine medical clearance for future competitions."
The “medical issue” in question has not been disclosed, but speaking with TODAY exclusively after the announcement, Biles said, "Physically, I feel good, I'm in shape. Emotionally, that kind of varies on the time and moment."
"Coming here to the Olympics and being the head star isn't an easy feat, so we're just trying to take it one day at a time and we'll see," she continued, adding that she's not sure if she'll compete in the all-around competition on Thursday. She is the defending champion.
Biles' brother has also chimed in on her with withdrawal from the team.
"Also everyone please pray for my sister @Simone_Biles She really needs them at this time, and is having a hard time," he tweeted Tuesday.
"You’re still GOAT Simone and no one can ever take that away from you!! You’re an amazing woman, talented gymnast, and I know you can bounce from this."
Without Biles, 24, the U.S. gymnastics team won the silver medal, while the Russian Olympic Committee took gold.
Biles has been open about the mental toll competing can take. After she and her teammates finished in second place during the qualifying competition over the weekend, she wrote about the pressure she feels.
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“It wasn’t an easy day or my best but I got through it,” she wrote on Instagram. “I truly do feel like I have the weight of the world on my shoulders at times. I know I brush it off and make it seem like pressure doesn’t affect me but damn sometimes it’s hard hahaha! The olympics is no joke!”
Biles has also talked about the benefits of going to therapy.
"I’ve learned it’s OK to ask for help if you need it," she told Glamour last month. "One of the very first sessions, I didn’t talk at all. I just wouldn’t say anything. I was like, ‘I’m not crazy. I don’t need to be here.'"
She said having the courage to seek help did wonders for her.
"I thought I could figure it out on my own, but that’s sometimes not the case. And that’s not something you should feel guilty or ashamed of," she said. "Once I got over that fact, I actually enjoyed it and looked forward to going to therapy. It’s a safe space."
Aly Raisman, who won three gold medals at the Olympics with Team USA, knows the stress Biles faces.
“I also am just thinking about the mental impact that this has to have on Simone,” she told TODAY on Tuesday about her departure from team competition.
“It’s just so much pressure, and I’ve been watching how much pressure has been on her in the months leading up to the Games, and it’s just devastating. I feel horrible.”
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