In the women's gymnastics team final held at the Tokyo Olympics on July 27, American gymnast Biles announced his withdrawal from the team final after a major mistake in the vault event. In a post-match press conference, Byers explained the reason for his withdrawal, saying it was because of mental health issues rather than physical reasons.
Asked if he was physically injured, Byers said he felt good physically and "just did a little damage to my self-esteem." Biles said that psychologically emotions change over time and that "it is not an easy task to come here and play in the Olympics and become a leader."
The Associated Press reported that the decision to retire reflects not only Byers's shift, but also her shift in redefining the sport. "The position Taken by Byers is likely to resonate far more than the colors of any medal she might win in Tokyo."
At a press conference, Byers explained the reason for his withdrawal that he just "didn't want to go on." With tears in her eyes, she told reporters, "I don't believe in myself as much as I used to... I don't know if it's because of my age, I'm a little nervous when I do the movements."
Biles also said she wasn't so happy and wanted the Olympics to be for herself. "But when I came, I felt like I was fighting for someone else, so I was sad that the things I loved were taken away and went to please others."
Byers video screenshot
For this Olympics, Biles said that he was really under pressure, it was a long week, a long year. "Psychotherapy and medication are very helpful, but when you're under high stress, you get a bit of a breakdown and don't know how to deal with all these emotions."
Byers said she now focuses on her own mental health, "We need to protect both physical health and mental health." It feels terrible when you have to fight your own mind. ”
Byers also stressed that the contestants "are not only athletes, at the end of the day, we are also human beings." ”
Biles is regarded as the greatest female gymnast in the United States, and at the 2016 Rio Olympics, the 19-year-old Biles won 4 gold and 1 bronze, becoming a bright superstar in the women's gymnastics world.
Before the women's gymnastics team final (July 26), Byers had posted on social media Instagram that "sometimes I really feel like the weight of the whole world is on me." I knew I should get over it and not be affected by the pressure, but it was really hard sometimes. The Olympics are no joke! ”
Despite announcing his retirement, Byers still had a lot of support. White House press secretary Jane Pasha said in a tweet that Byers deserved "thanks and support." Sarah Hirshland, the chief executive of the U.S. Olympic Committee, said in a statement that Byers "makes us proud."
"Whether you're an individual, a teammate or an athlete, I'm proud of you," Hershland said, "and we appreciate your decision to put mental health above all else and provide you with the full support and resources of our U.S. team as you move forward." ”
The Associated Press reported that the decision to withdraw from the game reflected not only Byers's transformation, but also may also reflect her transformation to redefine the sport.
The report claims that Biles has become an advocate for the importance of athletes' rights and mental health. There was a time, in fact, many times, when she felt she wasn't right, but she survived because that was what people expected of her. But not now, "The stance Byers has taken could resonate far more than the colors of any medal she might win in Tokyo."
American women's gymnast Simon Byers
After Byers announced his withdrawal from the women's team final on the 27th, the United States team, which was widely expected to achieve three consecutive championships before the game, finally won only the silver medal, and the Russian Olympic Committee team won the gold medal, which was the first time since Russia participated in the Olympic Games alone in 1996.
According to the schedule, Byers will also participate in the individual all-around competition on the 29th local time. In the following individual competitions, she also qualified for the competition. Byers said at a press conference on the 27th that he was not sure whether he would continue to compete. The American Gymnastics Association said Biles will undergo daily medical evaluations to determine if he can compete in future competitions.
This article is an exclusive manuscript of the Observer Network and may not be reproduced without authorization.