2024-07-30 04:10:02
Biles has left her mark far beyond her sport
Beyond the five skills in the sports’ Code of Points that bear her name, the records and the medals, Paris will showcase Biles’ changed approach to her gymnastics career since the Tokyo Games where her withdrawal put the importance of mental health in sports front-and-centre.
“We’re always going to prioritize mental health,” Biles said after the recent U.S. trials. “And I think that’s really nice that Tokyo gave us that opportunity to open up that stage for that talk. I think now athletes are a little bit more in tune. We trust what our gut is saying and just taking mental health a little bit more serious.”
Taking care of herself has become part of Biles legacy. It’s part of her new outlook on achievement, too.
“I think what success means to me is a little bit different than before because before everyone defined success for me, even if I had my own narrative that I wanted,” she told Olympics.com last year ahead of the World Championships. “So, now, it’s just showing up, being in a good head place, having fun out there, and whatever happens, happens.”
In addition to her focus on mental health, Biles’ legacy is one of a powerful advocate against abuse in gymnastics after she came forward in 2018 to say that she, too, had been a victim of the former U.S. team doctor’s assault.
Her bravery in speaking out – coupled with her immense platform – helped bring systemic changes within the sport.
