'Olympic Spirit At Its Best' - IOC Boss Praises Struggling Biles
Zeeshan Mehtab Published July 30, 2021 | 07:07 PM
IOC chief Thomas Bach said US superstar Simone Biles had shown "Olympic spirit at its best" on Friday by cheering on her fellow gymnasts despite being sidelined with mental problems in Tokyo
Tokyo, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 30th Jul, 2021 ) :IOC chief Thomas Bach said US superstar Simone Biles had shown "Olympic spirit at its best" on Friday by cheering on her fellow gymnasts despite being sidelined with mental problems in Tokyo.
Bach said Biles had shown great courage by admitting she was not mentally fit to compete, before turning up in the stands as teammate Sunisa Lee succeeded her as all-around champion.
The four-time gold medallist's Games now hang in the balance as she struggles with the "twisties", a mental block that affects gymnasts' judgement while spinning in mid-air.
"I can only say we are with her and we wish her well," Bach told news agency journalists in Tokyo, adding that he spoke to Biles after she withdrew during the team competition on Tuesday. She later pulled out of the individual all-around.
"I'm really admiring how she's handling the situation," added Bach. "On the one hand she admits to have this problem. This is already courageous. Who one year ago would have admitted to say I have mental health problems? "And at the same time, then cheering on their teammates and then being there and supporting when her successor is crowned in the all-around final.
"This is great human quality and this is Olympic spirit at its best."Mental health has been a key concern at the Games, after athletes had to prepare during the coronavirus pandemic and are living in a strict bubble in Tokyo.
Biles is not the only big name at the Games to admit to problems: Japanese tennis star Naomi Osaka returned to action in Tokyo after a break to benefit her mental health.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Punjab CM inaugurates Pakistan’s first Virtual Women Police Station
Dutch model Donny Roelvink embraces Islam
Experts raise concerns over introduction of 10-stick packs
Iranian president arrives in Karachi
Law Minister expresses Govt's resolve to address issue of missing persons
Rizwan’s batting order may be changed: Sources
Nawaz Sharif to visit Guangzhou exhibition in China
FM Dar not traveling to China: Foreign Office
PM takes notice of deliberate delay in tax cases
Iranian President visits Allama Iqbal’s mausoleum
Iranian President arrives in Lahore today
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 23 April 2024
More Stories From Sports
-
Rashid Latif for arranging Pakhtunkhwa Super League
4 hours ago -
Shadab Khan upbeat about lifting ICC T20I WC 2024
6 hours ago -
Ruben Amorim: Portugal's next coaching superstar, tipped for Liverpool
9 hours ago -
Sports Complex of FDA City opened for its members
10 hours ago -
VC IUB inaugurates Intervarsity Judo Championship
10 hours ago -
Australian Open Junior Squash medalists warmly welcome on arrival Peshawar
11 hours ago
-
Rizwan’s batting order may be changed: Sources
12 hours ago -
Mardan, Peshawar wins Girls, Boys titles in Prime Minister Youth Talent Hunt Table Tennis League
12 hours ago -
Bismah, Sadia, Hani progress in ICC Women’s Rankings
13 hours ago -
Central Asian Volleyball League in Islamabad next month
13 hours ago -
UN urges UK to reconsider Rwanda deportation plan
13 hours ago -
Hockey Men’s Nations Cup from May 31
13 hours ago