In the world of sports, where resilience and strength are often celebrated, the mental health of athletes has become an increasingly important conversation. This dialogue was thrust into the spotlight when Simone Biles, one of the most decorated gymnasts of all time, withdrew from the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 to prioritize her mental well-being. Her decision, though praised by many as a courageous act of self-care, was met with harsh criticism from British journalist Piers Morgan, who accused her of failing her team and not living up to her self-proclaimed status as the “GOAT” (Greatest of All Time).

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Morgan’s tweet at the time was scathing: “Simone Biles calls herself the GOAT, but no GOAT would bail on their teammates like that and mess up their chance at an Olympic gold.” His comments sparked a wave of backlash, with many fans and fellow athletes defending Biles’ choice to step back in order to protect her mental health.

Fast forward three years, and Biles has once again proven her mettle. On July 30th, 2024, she led the U.S. team to a gold medal at the Paris Olympics, solidifying her status as one of the greatest gymnasts in history. The U.S. team’s victory, with a commanding 71.266 points, nearly six points ahead of the silver medalists Italy, was a testament to Biles’ resilience and determination. Her comeback after the mental health struggles she faced in Tokyo is nothing short of legendary.

In a surprising turn of events, Morgan took to X (formerly Twitter) on the same day to publicly apologize to Biles. He acknowledged that he had been too harsh in 2021 and praised her for proving him wrong with her incredible talent and determination. However, the apology did not go over as well as he might have hoped. Many fans and critics alike found Morgan’s apology insincere and self-serving, with some accusing him of only apologizing to save face rather than out of genuine remorse.