All eyes are on the Paris Olympics, not just for the thrilling competitions but also for the troubling experiences faced by the athletes. Simone Biles and her fellow competitors have openly discussed the challenging conditions at the Games.

Simone Biles’s performance at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games has been nothing short of exceptional. Recognized as the greatest gymnast of all time, she boasts 11 Olympic medals.

Simone Biles celebrates after the Artistic Gymnastics Women’s Floor Exercise Final at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 on August 5, 2024, in Paris, France. | Source: Getty Images

In addition, Biles has earned 30 World Championship medals, solidifying her status as the most decorated gymnast in history. A move called “the Biles” is even named after her.

Simone Biles competes in the Women’s Balance Beam Final at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games on August 3, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. |

AdvertisementDespite her success, the athlete faced a pivotal moment at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, leading her to withdraw. During her vault routine, the gymnast experienced the “Twisties,” which is the disconnect between her brain and her body. While mid-air, she lost control of her body leading her to stumble.

Biles reflected on that infamous experience during an exclusive interview on the “Call Her Daddy” podcast in April 2024. According to her, she started having the twisties during training and informed her teammates.

Simone Biles competes in the vault event during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games on July 27, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. | Source: Getty Images

“‘I’m fighting demons. I’m fighting demons right now, but I’m going to do it for you guys,'” she remembered telling them. She decided to push through that while feeling like she was fighting her body and her mind to do the tricks.

After attempting the One-and-Half, Biles’s teammates were shocked by her performance. They asked if she was okay, and she said yes, though she knew she wasn’t.

Simone Biles arrives to compete in the uneven bars event during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games on July 25, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. | Source: Getty Images

At that point, the beloved gymnast felt the pressure. They couldn’t send her fellow teammate Jordan Chiles in yet because she needed to put up a score first.

After failing at the vault, all Biles could think of was what people would say about her poor performance. She mentioned that those at home tend to be critical if their representatives fail to deliver.

Simone Biles looks on during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games on July 27, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. | Source: Getty Images

“I thought I was going to be banned from America. Because that’s what they tell you, ‘Don’t come back if it’s not gold,'” she shared. Biles described that moment in her career as “horrible,” adding she knew she would not recover because getting over twisties takes time.

Following her routine, she told her coach that she wouldn’t be able to continue with the competition. While going through the motions of what happened, the Olympian still kept her composure because she didn’t want her teammates to panic.

Simone Biles and coach Cecile Landi during the Women’s Team Final at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games on July 27, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. | Source: Getty Images

Biles encouraged them to continue without her but they were skeptical about winning a medal without her. But she reminded them that they were there because they were the best.

The veteran mentioned that her decision to withdraw from the competition heavily affected her teammates because they lost their best player. “That’s something I’ll never forgive myself for,” she expressed.

Simone Biles gestures during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games on July 27, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. | Source: Getty Images

Biles knew she couldn’t have helped her team in her condition. She was surprised she managed to complete the warm-ups, compete, and land on her feet despite getting lost in the air.

While people assumed that she backed out because she didn’t want to lose, Biles explained that was far from it. She wanted to evaluate herself mentally and needed a break to do that fully.