Simone Biles has a “forbidden Olympic closet” in her home where she used to cry about her Tokyo experience in 2021.
Biles is widely considered one of the greatest gymnasts of all time thanks to her seven Olympic medals - including four golds. She is tied for the most Olympic medals earned by a U.S. gymnast and is the ninth-most decorated female gymnast in Games history.
However, at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, Biles was favored to win at least four of the six available gold medals when she suddenly withdrew from several events. Biles struggled with "the twisties”, a condition regarding temporary loss of air awareness while performing twisting elements.
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Biles still won a silver medal with her team and a bronze medal on the balance beam. However, she granted some insight into her struggles in Tokyo ahead of returning to Olympic competition - her third Games - in Paris this summer.
In a new documentary series titled “Simon Biles Rising”, the 27-year-old showed her fans a rarely used bedroom in her house to visit what she refers to as the “forbidden Olympic closet”. Inside, Biles revealed her 2021 Team USA pins, a plane ticket from San Francisco to Tokyo, her team number, and her Team USA face mask.
However, the mementos do not represent good memories. She pulled out a plastic bag filled with pins and other items that she was 'supposed to trade' with other athletes in Tokyo - but she “didn’t get to because my mood was bad.”
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Biles revealed how vulnerable she used to be after her struggles at the 2020 Games. She never goes into the room anymore because of what it means to her.
“A lot of this stuff is good keepsake, but it’s in this closet because I never really come in this room. I used to sit here and just cry and cry and cry and ask god why this happened to me,” Biles said, before pulling out the leotard she competed in.
“Even touching it is like [winces]. But, you know, sometimes you have to take that power back.”
Biles’ withdrawal from competition in Tokyo shined an important light on athletes openly discussing their mental health struggles. But she is now looking to dominate once again, and officially qualified for the Olympic team at trials in Minneapolis as she finished first in the all-around competition on June 30.
She's joined on the US Olympic gymnastics team by Jordan Chiles, Suni Lee, Jade Carey, and Hezly Rivera as well as traveling replacements Leanne Wong and Joscelyn Roberson. Biles and co. will be part of the opening ceremony for the Paris Olympics on July 26.
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