Why did Simone Biles almost retire?
Daniel Moore
Published Jan 18, 2026
Olympic gymnast Simone Biles was at the top of her game when the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo were postponed due to the coronavirus and said that unexpected change, and tensions with the USA Gymnastics organization, prompted her to consider retiring early from the sport.
Why did Simone Biles come out of retirement?
Simone Biles has admitted that she should have walked away from the Olympic programme “way before” the Tokyo Games. Biles withdrew from five of her six finals at the Olympics in July to focus on her mental health after suffering from a phenomenon known as the twisties that affected her spatial awareness when competing.
Why didn t Simone Biles retire?
Simone Biles' experience this summer at the Tokyo Olympics didn't go as planned, as the greatest gymnast in the world had to withdraw from most of the competition finals because of the “twisties” — a dangerous situation where gymnasts lose their sense of awareness in the air.
Why did Simone Biles leave Tokyo 2021?
Simone Biles, the four-time Olympic gold medalist, will not compete in Thursday's individual all-around competition after withdrawing from the team finals because of a mental health issue, according to an emailed statement from U.S.A. Gymnastics.
What problem is Simone Biles having?
Biles cited mental health issues that triggered "the twisties," a disorientation in the air while she was competing, as the reason for her stunning withdrawal from multiple events in Tokyo after entering as a heavy favorite to win several gold medals. Those issues have lingered beyond the Olympics.
23 related questions foundDoes Simone Biles still do gymnastics 2022?
Simone Biles' decision to withdraw from competition at at the Tokyo Olympics is still reverberating through the sports world today, as Beijing 2022 approaches. In an interview with TIME's Sean Gregory, American snowboarder Chloe Kim said seeing Biles put her own safety ahead of her sport was "inspirational."
Is Simone Biles still competing in gymnastics?
Months after her highly-publicized withdrawal from the Tokyo Olympics, USA Gymnastics star Simone Biles has returned to the mat as a headliner in the Gold Over America Tour's all-star lineup of gymnasts.
What happened with Simone Biles at the Olympics?
But something went very wrong during one of her routines at the Olympics in Tokyo, Japan this summer. Biles sprinted down the mat and flipped into the air, hitting the vault table hands down. When she pushed off from it, she meant to rotate two-and-a-half times. Instead, she made only one-and-a-half rotations.
Is Simone Biles married?
The happy couple announced the news on Instagram on Tuesday after first going public with their relationship in August 2020.
Will Simone Biles retire after Olympics?
Biles has spoken openly about her mental health and struggles with the "twisties" following the event. Biles has not retired from gymnastics, and believes she will eventually move past the "twisties." Once that happens, she can decide whether she wants to keep competing in high-level events.
Is Biles career over?
Simone Biles walked away from the Tokyo Olympics with her head unbowed and her illustrious gymnastic career cemented. The superstar left on her terms, after stepping away during the competition to focus on her mental health.
What does Simone Biles want to do after retiring?
She even considered quitting in 2020 after the pandemic postponement prompted an extra year of training. But Biles hinted last April she'd also consider returning for the 2024 Paris Games, in part because it would mark an Olympic homecoming for her coaches.
What position does Simone Biles boyfriend?
In August 2020, four-time Olympic gold medal gymnast Simone Biles let the world know she had a new boyfriend: 26-year-old Jonathan Owens, a safety for the Houston Texans.
What race is Simone Biles?
At the age of 16, Biles became the seventh American woman and the first African American to win the world all-around title.
What is twisties Simone Biles?
Biles has since said that the combination of mental stress and pressure leading up to the Olympics have affected her confidence. But, more importantly, she felt a disconnect between her mind and body; her body was no longer doing what she wanted it to. Whatever the trigger, gymnasts call this the “twisties.”
What did Simone Biles drop out of?
Hours after Japanese Tennis star Naomi Osaka lost in the third round of the singles competition and cited her mental health to be the reason for her loss, US gymnast Simone Biles dropped out of the Tokyo 2020 team gymnastics final, saying mental health is more important than sports.
Can Simone Biles twist again?
"I started doing a couple fulls and on the first one, it was literally like second nature again," Biles said. Speaking with People, the seven-time Olympic medalist added: "It's frustrating because I can do everything again. I don't know ... the stress, anxiety, the build-up or whatever happened, happened."
Will Simone Biles be in 2024 Olympics?
Shortly after the Tokyo Olympics, the 24-year-old star told her coach she's "thinking about 2024." Biles had previously suggested that she was "leaving the door open" to an Olympic return in Paris.
How is Simone doing?
Simone Biles is currently enjoying the fruits of her labor after dominating gymnastics for a long time. During the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, her withdrawal from the gymnastics competitions sent shock waves around the sporting world. Citing mental health concerns, she decided to take a break from the sport.
Why is Simone Biles important?
At the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, she became the first female U.S. gymnast to win four gold medals at a single Games, and she was the first gymnast to win three consecutive world all-around titles (2013–15).
How tall is Simone Biles 2021?
Simone Biles is 4ft 8in. Biles is the owner of a total of 30 Olympic and World Championship medals.
Is Simone Biles still the best?
It's the “consensus” that she is the best ever, says Meyers. It's unclear what will come next for Biles, though. It's unusual for gymnasts to compete in three Olympic Games, but she's left the door open to compete in select events at the Paris games in 2024. “I hope that's still in the cards,” Meyers said.