Like most people, I’ve been delighted by the Paris Olympics. From the totally unprecedented opening ceremony in the pouring rain, to Dutch sprinter Femke Bol’s stunning anchor leg of the mixed 4×400 relay (watch the full race here, and check out that gorgeous purple track!), plus pommel horse guy and Katy Ledecky swimming so fast and far ahead in the 1500m race that it looked like she was alone in the pool – even with a wide camera angle! There are so many amazing stories!
Plus, TikTok has made my personal* Olympic dream come true: the trend “so sad to announce I didn’t make the 2024 Olympic team” has provided the helpful context of what it would look like if an average person attempted what these Olympians make look so easy! I laughed so hard watching these over the weekend that I had tears streaming down my face, and then Suni Lee even got in on it after the surprisingly dramatic beam final. Too funny.
But the story and athlete I’ve been watching most intently is, of course, Simone Biles. In late July 2021, Simone Biles withdrew from the Tokyo Olympics. Her decision to do so was shocking to many because she didn’t appear to be physically injured. She hadn’t torn a ligament or suffered a fracture; something else was off. During her elaborate flips, twists, and turns, she was getting lost in the air. There was a disconnect between her brain and her body, and it put her at serious risk of severe injury. From an outsider’s perspective, it might have seemed like Biles could just fight through, especially since the problem was essentially invisible and she was on the world’s biggest stage. So, while disappointing, maybe it’s not surprising that her choice to step away was met with a lot of negativity and even outright hostility. Pundits called her weak and lambasted her for “quitting” and letting down her teammates, her fans, and her country just “because she wasn’t having ‘fun’” anymore.
Of course, Biles had the last laugh. Over the last few days, she has shown all those who doubted her (and questioned her talent, her dedication, her fortitude – what she’s really made of!) that she truly is the GOAT. During the Paris Olympics, Biles won gold in Women’s Artistic Individual All-Around, Vault, and of course she contributed to America’s gold medal in Team All-Around. She also won silver in Floor, wowing another contender for the title.
GOAT recognizes GOAT
Today, Biles is the most decorated gymnast in history, in spite of? or because she did what was best for her health and stopped at a critical moment instead of pushing on and risking serious injury or worse. She did the arguably harder thing and took rest. She listened to her body and her mind, and stepped away, even though (especially because?) so many eyes were watching her. Often, stepping away is the hardest thing. We’re so accustomed to pushing and pushing, to trying harder, that we can miss what we really need most: a break.
A post on Instagram really resonated with me. It called out that, “Simone Biles will not only be remembered as the best gymnast of all time, but also for proving wrong the idea that success must come at the cost of safety… It doesn’t. It requires taking care of yourself.” Matt Bernstein, mattxiv
Biles’s story has been a huge part of why the Paris Olympics feel so electric. We’re witnessing jaw-dropping performances from athletes who are genuinely incredible role models for all of us, and from whom we all can take a lesson** – even though we personally didn’t make the 2024 Olympic Team.
Have you been watching the Olympics? What moments have wowed you?
More importantly, have you planned any time off to unplug and relax before September? I hope so. I’d love to hear about your plans to unwind, or to get your recommendations for an Olympic highlight I may have missed!
*In fact, all credit to Bill Murray for this idea, at least according to reddit
**Here’s a gift link to a New York Times article, if you’d like to read more about Simone Biles post-Paris. The comments are heartwarming too; quite different from the vitriol of many pundits in 2021.
Mylène Kerschner – Senior Research and Consulting Manager
