Simone Biles, the renowned gymnast, made a difficult decision to withdraw from the gymnastics team finals at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics due to experiencing the ‘twisties,’ a disorienting phenomenon for gymnasts. In a newly-released book by Gotham Chopra titled ‘Religion of Sports,’ it is revealed that Biles reached out to her mom, Nellie, for support during this emotional time.
According to the book, Biles expressed feeling like she might die every time she performed a vault with two and a half twists. This fear led her to withdraw from the competition, as she confided in her teammates, “I don’t want to do something stupid.”
Seeking reassurance and guidance, Biles called her mom, who provided the much-needed support. Nellie comforted her daughter and emphasized the importance of prioritizing her well-being, saying, “You don’t need to go out there and hurt yourself. That’s just not right.”
During the intimate moment between mother and daughter, Nellie continued to offer words of encouragement, telling Biles to take care of herself and reminding her that they were all praying for her. The book also details how Nellie informed the rest of Biles’s family and friends about her decision to withdraw from the competition, emphasizing that Biles had put her mental and physical well-being first.