Simone Biles wants the world to know she didn’t quit.
In an Instagram story posted on Friday morning, the gymnast wrote that her “mind and body are simply not in sync” and explained in more depth what has plagued her performances since she arrived in Tokyo for the Olympics.
Earlier this week, Biles withdrew from Tuesday’s team all-around final following a stumble during a vault routine. She later pulled out of Thursday’s individual all-around competition to focus on her mental health.
Biles reiterated in her post that she didn’t quit competing because of a bad performance.
“I’ve had plenty of bad performances throughout my career and finished the competition. I simply got so lost my safety was at risk as well as a team medal,” she wrote.
On her IG stories, Simone Biles responds to people who think she “quit” on her team by explaining the “the twisties” she’s been experiencing and what it feels like “not having your mind and body in sync” …. pic.twitter.com/79hN973rkd— Kimberley A. Martin (@ByKimberleyA) July 30, 2021
On her IG stories, Simone Biles responds to people who think she “quit” on her team by explaining the “the twisties” she’s been experiencing and what it feels like “not having your mind and body in sync” …. pic.twitter.com/79hN973rkd
Biles also posted a video of her practicing on the uneven bars on Friday morning. During the training session, she attempted a 1½ twist and fell on her back.
“I don’t think you realize how dangerous this is on hard/competitive surface,” she commented on the video.
“Physical health is mental health,” she continued.
Biles said the phenomenon in which a gymnast’s body gets lost in the air, which she calls “the twisties,” can be disastrous and cause serious injuries during airborne routines.
During Biles’ vault in the women’s team final Tuesday, “the twisties” caused her to underrotate.
“I also have no idea how I landed on my feet on that vault because if you look at the pictures and my eyes you can see how confused I am as to where I am in the air,” she wrote. “Thankfully I landed safe enough but I also don’t think some of you realize I was supposed to do a 2½ and I only completed 1½ twists before it looks like I got shot out of the air.”
On Thursday, Biles and her USA teammates cheered on Suni Lee, who won gold in the individual all-around event.
Simone Biles is answering questions about getting the "twisties" and it sounds terrifying."Literally cannot tell up from down. It's the craziest feeling ever. Not having an inch of control over your body." pic.twitter.com/dTDjYmuTBH— Kim Bhasin (@KimBhasin) July 30, 2021
Simone Biles is answering questions about getting the "twisties" and it sounds terrifying."Literally cannot tell up from down. It's the craziest feeling ever. Not having an inch of control over your body." pic.twitter.com/dTDjYmuTBH