Simone Biles should have toughed it out and just pushed through! After all, she’s competing at the highest level of competition for her sport! She’s representing the USA and her team’s Captain!
That’s been the attitude of so many about Simone Biles taking herself out of the Women’s Team Gymnastics competition at the Olympic Games in Toyko.
Simone pulled herself out of the competition stating “I took a step back because I didn’t want to do something silly out there and get injured. I thought it was best if the girls took over and did the rest of the job, which they absolutely did.”
In taking herself out of the competition, she wanted to improve the chances of her team winning a medal and at the same time not risk injury. Sometimes being the best is knowing when to step back, sit down and let the team finish the job. Sometimes being a leader means knowing that it doesn’t have to be you to win the game, score the last point and save the day.
She’s taking one of the team in a way that most of us can’t imagine. Training for years to only have that competition postponed for a year. Knowing that the competition might be your last one, but still having the courage to say, enough.
How many of us could rise to that level of courage? How many of us could rise to that level of sacrifice? Being the greatest of all time while you’re still competing is no small task, but she still manages to achieve that level of greatness by knowing when to step aside.
As one Tweet I saw read, We’ve all had moments where we just couldn’t “push through” remember that moment now, and remember the entire world wasn’t looking at you. #SupportingSimone
Let’s all understand Simone wasn’t only representing the USA, but also a beacon of light for survivors of sexual assault. She was also there to show that she, and every other gymnast that shares her experience still matters and they’re still here.
As Simone posted on Instagram after her first uncharacteristic mistake ridden performance, “It wasn’t an easy day or my best but I got through it. I truly do feel like I have the weight of the world on my shoulders at times.”
As non-Olympians, most people can’t imagine the pressure of representing your country while the entire world watches. Most of us don’t want to be on camera for Zoom meetings, so show Simone a little grace and some kindness. Appreciate the level of self awareness she’s show and celebrate her as still being one of the greatest gymnast of all time.
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