Simone Biles’s Experience at the Paris Olympics Sparks Discussion

Simone Biles’s performance at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games was outstanding, adding to her record of 11 Olympic medals and 30 World Championship medals. However, her journey wasn’t without challenges. Reflecting on her experience at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Biles recalled battling the “Twisties,” a dangerous disconnect between her mind and body during routines. She shared, “I thought I was going to be banned from America… ‘Don’t come back if it’s not gold.'”

At Paris 2024, Biles revealed she stopped eating at the Olympic Village due to anxiety caused by constant attention. “Whenever I sat down to eat, my anxiety was so bad, I was shaking,” she admitted. This led to mixed reactions online, with some supporting her, while others criticized her decision.

The conditions at the Olympic Village, including poor-quality food and accommodations, also drew complaints from various athletes. Biles noted, “I don’t think we’re having proper French cuisine in the village.” British swimmer Adam Peaty echoed concerns about insufficient food, emphasizing the importance of proper nutrition for peak performance.