Justin Langer: The true bravery of Simone Biles is worth more than Olympic gold
American gymnast Simone Biles is a force of nature. A gymnast whose grace defies gravity and whose strength seems limitless.
Her routines, several of which are named after her, are a symphony of power and precision. Each flip and twist is breathtaking and a testament to her unparalleled skill and fearlessness.
Beyond the medals, records and stardom, Biles is a beacon of resilience and courage. She very publicly faced the shadows of mental health struggles, seemingly, emerging stronger.
Her journey to Paris, from the brink of despair three years ago in Tokyo — where she sensationally pulled out of the Olympics after her first routine — is a story of unyielding determination, reminding us all, that true greatness is never without its challenges.
Before I first saw her name in a documentary title, I hadn’t even heard of her. Netflix changed that fact.
Three weeks before the Paris Olympic Games I was flicking through the streaming service when I noticed a program called Simone Biles Rising.
I didn’t watch the show, but I was intrigued by the trailer. This week, while laid up in bed, and after being blown away by her feats in these Olympics, I watched the program and realised there is so much to learn from people like Biles.
Camera IconSimone Biles of Team United States is embraced by coach Cecile Landi during the Women’s Team Final on day four of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Credit: Ezra Shaw/Getty ImagesLesson 1
Going back to the start, Biles faced early challenges when her biological mother struggled with addiction. After entering foster care, she was adopted at the age of six by her maternal grandparents, Ron and Nellie Biles.
Her grandmother, now called Mum, quickly noticed Simone’s boundless energy and enrolled her in gymnastics classes. What began as a childhood outlet transformed into a passion.
Under the guidance of her grandparents/parents, Simone’s natural talent flourished. Their unwavering support, combined with her extraordinary dedication, laid the foundations for her rise to become one of the greatest gymnasts the world has ever seen.
To this day, Nellie still plaits Biles’ hair for competition, and is still the rock to her success; reminding us that family support, regardless of its challenges and heartbreaks, is fundamental for most of us.
She also proves that despite a person’s upbringing, we can achieve excellence if we want it enough.
Lesson 2
As has been well documented, including here in Australia, the world of elite gymnastics is lived within the realm of both breathtaking feats and sobering realities.
Young bodies, barely into their teens, are pushed to the limits, in search of athletic art.
From as early as five or six years old, these pint-sized prodigies embark on a gruelling journey, dedicating countless hours to perfect their gravity-defying routines.
Their tiny limbs develop into tools of extraordinary power, allowing them to twist, flip, and soar through the air with the grace of a ballet dancer and the strength of a weightlifter.
Yet, this relentless pursuit of perfection can take a heavy toll. Stress fractures, joint damage and burnout loom large as young bodies are asked to perform feats that defy the natural limitations of human physiology and psychology.
Amid the displays of athleticism, there is a growing chorus of concern to prioritise the well-being of these young champions in their pursuit of medals and records.
Some argue it is the price that must be paid for Olympic glory, while others believe the balance between the breathtaking, and the humane, is still out of whack. Wherever the truth lies, it reminds us that achieving greatness in any field takes extraordinary sacrifice, resolve and purpose.
All our Olympians will attest to this, as will anyone who masters their craft in any field, under the big lights, or behind closed doors.
Lesson 3
Biles’ story stands as a testament to the indomitable power of the human spirit.
Her journey from the burdens and anxieties of Tokyo to her recent Paris triumphs is a tale transcending the boundaries of sport.
Arriving in Tokyo three years ago as the world’s greatest gymnast, Biles shouldered the weight of suffocating expectations.
On her first vault, she suffered a phenomenon known in gymnastics as the “twisties”.
In other sports, you may have heard this described as the “yips”.
As I have come to learn, the twisties refer to a mental block, that affects a gymnast’s ability to perform twists and flips correctly. When a gymnast experiences the twisties, there is a sudden loss of spatial awareness during aerial manoeuvres, making it incredibly dangerous and frightening for the athlete.
Having seen other athletes experience the yips, you wouldn’t wish it on your worst enemy. For some, they never overcome the debilitating fear and anxiety of overcoming this mental anguish. For others, it takes profound discipline and work to remaster the basics.
Biles not only overcame the twisties, but through heart-wrenching failures and insecurities, she conquered her demons to prevail and fly back to the top of the world. She shows us that even the best of the best find it hard at times.
In her case, fear finally won and Biles was led to make the courageous decision to withdraw from the Tokyo Olympics. Prioritising her mental and physical well-being, over the pressure to compete for her country, she sensationally walked away.
This act of bravery sparked a global conversation. She was horribly vilified for her decision by some sectors. In others, she was applauded for shedding light on the often-hidden challenges of mental health in the high-stakes world of sports.
In the world I live in, such courage can be difficult, but if you are not right, you are not right. Often raising your hand and speaking up is harder than the quest itself.
Some don’t see it that way — “guts it out” they will say, “learn resilience through your failures”, “harden up”.
While there are times for these sentiments, for me it is clear: when a person’s mental health jeopardises their, and their team’s, performance they should put their hand up and step out for a while.
There is no shame in that.
Athletes are supposed to be unbreakable superheroes, but the truth is they are only humans like you and I.
When they have the courage to show their vulnerability, regardless of the backlash, they remind us that we too can stand up and take a break when it is most needed.
Lesson 4
Among all this personal trauma, Biles and many of her fellow athletes endured the Larry Nassar scandal, one of the darkest horror stories in sports history.
Nassar, once a revered doctor within USA Gymnastics, preyed mercilessly on young athletes under the guise of medical treatment.
For years, his victims endured unimaginable pain, their cries for help silenced by a system that failed to protect them. It wasn’t until a brave group of survivors, led by women like Biles, that Nassar’s crimes came to an end.
The 140cm Biles was the David in this David and Goliath narrative, her powerful testimony in court revealing a pattern of abuse that spanned decades and implicated numerous officials who had turned a blind eye.
In the end, the Larry Nassar scandal — concluded with a 40 to 175-year prison sentence — is a poignant reminder of the importance of listening to survivors, holding predators accountable, and ensuring that such atrocities are never allowed to happen again. These women’s valour is as heroic as anything they will do in the sporting arena.
Fearlessness and bravery come in many forms.
When these Paris Olympics arrived, one of the great expectations and narratives involved Simone Biles. She let no one down. Among the pressures and self-doubts, her stunning performances, like her smile, once again captivated audiences around the world.
She did not just compete, she soared to more gold medals. In doing so, she demonstrated the power of resilience and the importance of mental health in athletic triumph. Her journey from Tokyo to Paris was not just about winning medals, it was about reclaiming her identity and redefining what it means to be a champion.
Her life, not just this recent period of her life, is an example of perseverance in the face of adversity, a celebration of human strength, and a beacon of hope for anyone struggling with mental health, loss of hope, or the crippling challenges that this life can present.
Biles has shown the world that it is OK to prioritise well-being over winning, that vulnerability is a form of strength, and that true greatness lies in the ability to rise after falling.
Hers is a story of pain and perseverance, darkness and light and, ultimately, the unbreakable spirit of those who refuse to be silenced or give up.
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