The gold medal-winning gymnast, 28, was in Japan competing for Team USA when she decided to walk away in the middle of an event because she needed to prioritise her mental and physical health – and Simone has now admitted she feared her career would be over because of her decision.

She told Stylist magazine: “Everyone assumed I would do what I’d always done: push through and bring home gold. But something inside me knew this was different. Very different. “My body was there, but it wasn’t in sync with my mind. I wasn’t right. And in gymnastics, that’s extremely dangerous. I had to trust myself. Trust the intuition I’d spent my entire life building. Trust the voice telling me that no medal or accolade was worth my health and safety … “So, I took a step back. I told my coaches and teammates I couldn’t continue.”

She went on to add: “I was very aware that not only was I letting them down, but also my entire country. I knew the backlash I would face. I worried about being cancelled – the headlines, the comments, the judgment. “But I also knew one thing: I wasn’t letting myself down. Later, I came to realise that this was the most important thing of all. Even though it was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made, it was the most courageous I’ve ever been.”

Simone went to therapy after returning form Tokyo and went on to return to competing, and she’s adamant she’s got no regrets over her decision to step back. She said: “I won’t pretend it was easy. That I didn’t doubt myself. That I didn’t sit in bed and eat ice-cream all day, doomscroll and question who I was. I didn’t have a plan for this. I felt like I had ‘loser’ tattooed across my forehead. It was overwhelming. “But here’s what I wish I’d been taught sooner: pushing through isn’t always a sign of strength. Taking a step back isn’t weakness … “It took therapy and a lot of work for me to understand that. And it took time.”

The gymnast previously revealed her experience in Tokyo was a turning point for her because it opened up a wider discussion about mental health in sport. Simone told Harper’s Bazaar Spain: “It completely transformed me. Before, people only talked about my medals; now they also talk about the mental aspect. “That makes me happy; it shows that something has changed, because before, unfortunately, my career wasn’t very relatable to most people, except for other elite athletes … “I learned that success means nothing if you can’t enjoy it peacefully.”

The Moment That Shook the Olympic World

When the world tuned in to watch Simone Biles at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, many expected another historic medal run. After all, Biles had already built a reputation as the greatest gymnast of her generation—maybe even of all time.

But then something unexpected happened.

Instead of chasing medals at any cost, Biles made a decision that stunned fans and commentators alike: she stepped back from several competitions to protect her mental health. The move sparked headlines, debates, and an avalanche of social media reactions.

And behind the scenes? Biles later admitted she feared something many public figures worry about today—being “cancelled.”

Let’s unpack what really happened, why she felt that way, and how her decision reshaped the conversation around mental health in sports.

The Pressure of Being the Best

Carrying the Weight of a Nation

Being an Olympic athlete is already intense. Being Simone Biles takes that intensity to another level.

By the time the Tokyo Games arrived, Biles had:

• Four Olympic gold medals

• Dozens of world championship titles

• Skills so difficult they were literally named after her

Fans didn’t just hope she would win. Many assumed she would dominate.

But expectations can feel like a mountain on your shoulders. And for Biles, that mountain was enormous.

When Expectations Become Overwhelming

Imagine being told every day that you’re unbeatable.

Now imagine trying to perform under that spotlight while millions watch.

That’s the reality Biles faced in Tokyo.

Behind the confident routines and gravity-defying flips, she was battling intense mental pressure—something athletes often hide from the public eye.

The Twisties — A Gymnast’s Nightmare

What Are the “Twisties”?

During the competition, Biles experienced something gymnasts fear deeply: the twisties.

The twisties occur when a gymnast loses their sense of spatial awareness mid-air. For athletes who flip and spin multiple times during routines, this can be extremely dangerous.

It’s like driving a car and suddenly forgetting where the road is.

Not ideal.

Why It’s So Dangerous

In gymnastics, one wrong landing can lead to serious injury.

Broken bones. Spinal injuries. Career-ending accidents.

Biles recognized the warning signs and made the difficult call to step back rather than risk her safety or her team’s chances.

That moment changed everything.

Why Simone Biles Thought She Might Be ‘Cancelled’

The Internet Can Be Brutal

Let’s be honest: social media can turn supportive crowds into critics overnight.

Athletes today aren’t just competing in arenas—they’re competing in the public opinion arena online.

And Biles knew exactly how harsh that world can be.

She worried people would see her decision as quitting rather than protecting herself.

The Fear of Letting Everyone Down

Think about the narrative she faced:

• The defending Olympic champion

• The face of U.S. gymnastics

• The athlete many believed would carry the team

Stepping aside in that moment could easily be misunderstood.

So Biles feared the backlash. She feared headlines calling her weak. She feared losing public support.

In short, she feared being “cancelled.”

The Unexpected Reaction from the World

Support Flooded In

Instead of universal criticism, something remarkable happened.

Many athletes, celebrities, and fans rallied around Biles.

They praised her courage for speaking openly about mental health—a topic long ignored in elite sports.

Suddenly, the conversation shifted.

Instead of asking “Why didn’t she compete?”, people started asking something more important:

“Why haven’t we been talking about athlete mental health sooner?”

Athletes Speak Out

Other athletes began sharing similar experiences.

From tennis stars to swimmers, many admitted they too had struggled silently with the pressures of competition.

Biles’ decision cracked open a door that had been locked for decades.

Redefining Strength in Sports

Strength Isn’t Always About Pushing Through

For years, sports culture promoted a simple idea:

Push through the pain. Always.

But Biles challenged that narrative.

Sometimes the strongest move isn’t pushing forward—it’s knowing when to pause.

That message resonated far beyond gymnastics.

A Turning Point for Mental Health Awareness

Her decision forced organizations, coaches, and fans to rethink expectations.

Mental health suddenly became part of the conversation around performance and safety.

And that’s a huge shift.

The Legacy of Tokyo for Simone Biles

More Than Medals

Even though the Tokyo Olympics didn’t unfold as expected, Biles still left with a bronze medal and a silver team medal.

But the bigger achievement wasn’t hanging around her neck.

It was the impact she had on the culture of sports.

Changing the Narrative for Future Athletes

Young athletes watching Tokyo learned an important lesson:

Your health—physical and mental—matters more than any medal.

That message could influence generations of competitors.

The Comeback Story

Returning to Competition

After taking time to recover and refocus, Biles eventually returned to competition stronger than ever.

Her comeback reminded everyone of something powerful:

Taking care of yourself doesn’t end your career.

Sometimes, it saves it.

Confidence Rebuilt

Athletes often describe confidence as a delicate thing.

Break it once, and rebuilding takes time.

But Biles showed that resilience isn’t just about enduring hardship—it’s about learning from it.

Lessons Everyone Can Learn from Simone Biles

Listen to Your Mind and Body

Your body sends signals. Your mind does too.

Ignoring them can lead to burnout or injury.

Biles listened—and that likely prevented something far worse.

It’s Okay to Step Back

We live in a culture that celebrates nonstop hustle.

But sometimes stepping back is exactly what you need to move forward.

Think of it like hitting pause on a movie. The story isn’t over—it’s just taking a breath.

Vulnerability Can Inspire Millions

When Biles opened up about her fears and struggles, she did something powerful: she made others feel less alone.

And that might be her most meaningful achievement yet.

Why the Tokyo Moment Will Be Remembered

Years from now, sports historians may remember the Tokyo Olympics not just for medals, records, or podiums.

They’ll remember the moment the greatest gymnast in the world chose health over expectations.

That moment shifted the conversation in athletics.

And sometimes, one brave decision can change an entire culture.

Conclusion

Simone Biles arrived at the Tokyo Olympics carrying enormous expectations, but she left carrying something even more important: a legacy of honesty and courage. When she stepped back from competition due to the twisties and mental health concerns, she feared the backlash might “cancel” her career and reputation. Instead, the world saw something different—a powerful reminder that even the strongest athletes are human.

By choosing safety over silence, Biles transformed a difficult moment into a movement that continues to reshape how we think about mental health in sports. Her story proves that true greatness isn’t just measured in medals. Sometimes, it’s measured in the courage to speak up when the pressure feels unbearable.