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The US Sun
What are the twisties? The condition that forced Simone Biles’ to withdraw from the 2020 Olympics
By Owen Scott,
1 day ago
SIMONE Biles had to drop out of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics after suffering with the debilitating “twisties”.
But what actually are the twisties and how long has Simone Biles suffered with them?
Simone Biles is just one of the gymnasts who struggles with the twisties AFP/Getty Images The twisties can cause a gymnast to fall and hurt themselves The Mega Agency
What are the twisties?
The twisties are a loss of orientation that can lead athletes to lose control of their own body.
It can cause them to perform extra flips and twists or even land unsafely.
According to sports psychologist Matthew Sacco PhD, the Twisties are a mental block which causes a disconnect between the body and mind.
This occurs when a gymnast is in the air.
Dr Sacco said: “The brain and body are no longer communicating efficiently, and that causes a gymnast to lose sense of where their body is in space while they’re in the air.”
During the run up to the Tokyo Olympics, Simone suffered several mishaps while trying to qualify.
She posted on Instagram saying that she felt the “weight of the world” on her shoulders, because of the Olympic pressure.
Eventually, during the warm-ups for the first rotation of the team final, Biles performed only 1.5 twists out of an expected 2.5.
The nine-time medallist went on to repeat this at a competition, leading her to nearly have an accident.
She withdrew from the Tokyo Olympics, citing mental health reasons and beginning a 732-day layoff from the sport.
What has Simone Biles said about the 2020 Tokyo Olympics?
Simone has won 9 Olympic medals The Mega Agency
Simone Biles explained that the terrifying twisties feel like being at the wheel of a car that you cannot control.
The athlete, who has won six gold medals, said: “Your mind and your body are at a disconnect.
“Your body is going to try to do something, and your mind is going to be like, ‘No, you’re not doing this’, I am my car’.”
She also likened the feeling to being “lost in the air”.
While appearing on Alex Cooper’s hit podcast Call her Daddy, the athlete said the sensation “Doesn’t feel comfortable, I have no idea where I am, but I’m twisting, praying I land on my feet.”
She described trying to push past the condition, but eventually had to admit that she needed a break.
The star athlete has shown that gymnasts can overcome the condition as she has smashed records.
Simone returned to the Olympics, at the Paris 2024 Games, where she made history by winning a second all-around gymnastics title.
What's happening today at The Games?
WHAT TO WATCH TODAY..
TODAY’S BRIT MEDAL HOPES
Jack Laugher, Olympic champ in Rio, teams up with Anthony Harding for the 3m synchro diving (10am).
It is the semi-finals and final (8.35pm) of the BMX racing with Beth Shriever and Kye Whyte both in contention.
Back-to-back world champion lightweight scullers Emily Craig and Imogen Grant can make amends for Tokyo heartache, missing a medal by 0.01 seconds, by winning gold (11.22am).
Bryony Page will look for a medal in the women’s trampolining, too (12.50pm).
BRITS TO WATCH
In athletics, Dina Asher-Smith has her 100m heat (10.50am), Josh Kerr has his in the 1,500m (10.10am) and then Keely Hodgkinson’s 800m opener is at 6.45pm.
Adam Burgess, Joe Clarke, Mallory Franklin and Kimblery Woods have their time trials for the new kayak cross event (2.30pm).
And it is the team jumping final of the equestrian at 1pm with Team GB in contention.
GLOBAL STARS TODAY
Leon Marchand is taking his home Olympics by storm and can add the 200m individual medley to his growing collection (7.49pm) – and is eyeing a world record, too.
Joshua Cheptegei of Uganda and Ethiopian Selemon Barega will battle it out for the men’s 10,000m gold – the only medal up for grabs on the opening night of the athletics (8.20pm).
FANCY SOMETHING DIFFERENT?
It is the final day of the windsurfing down in Marseille – the new class, iQFoil replaces the old RS:X and makes for brilliant viewing. Emma Wilson could bag a medal.
STATS MAD
154 – French judoxa Teddy Riner is going for a record-equally three individual gold medals in the 100+kg category (4.50pm). He won a staggering 154 contests in a row between September 2010 and February 2020.
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