The Silent Struggle of Elite Athletes

Few names in sports command as much respect as Simone Biles. With seven Olympic medals—four of them gold—and 25 World Championship medals, she is widely regarded as the greatest gymnast of all time. Yet her most enduring legacy may be the courage she showed by stepping away from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics in 2021 to protect her mental health. Biles’ decision was not a sign of weakness; it was a powerful act of self-awareness that ignited a global conversation about the pressures athletes face and the urgent need to prioritize mental well-being.

The phrase “breaking silence” perfectly captures what Biles did. For decades, the sports world operated under an unspoken code: push through pain, suppress emotion, and never show vulnerability. Biles shattered that code on the biggest stage imaginable. Her story has since become a rallying cry for change, prompting athletes, coaches, and organizations to rethink how they support mental health. This article explores the journey of Simone Biles’ fight for mental health awareness, the challenges she faced, and the lasting impact of her advocacy.

The Turning Point: “Breaking Silence” at the Tokyo Olympics

During the women’s gymnastics team final on July 27, 2021, Simone Biles made a decision that stunned the world. After a difficult vault attempt, she withdrew from the competition, citing mental health concerns. In subsequent interviews, Biles explained that she was experiencing the “twisties”—a dangerous phenomenon in gymnastics where an athlete loses spatial awareness while in the air. This condition can lead to serious injury if not managed immediately. But more than a physical block, the twisties are often a symptom of overwhelming psychological stress.

Biles described her experience as “breaking silence” about a topic that athletes had long been discouraged from discussing. She stated, “We are not just athletes. We are people at the end of the day, and sometimes we have to put our mental health first.” Her candor was a watershed moment. Suddenly, mental health was no longer a private struggle whispered about in locker rooms; it was a headline on every news channel and a trending topic on social media. Biles challenged the deep-rooted stigma that equates vulnerability with weakness, showing that true strength lies in acknowledging one’s limits and seeking help.

Understanding the “Twisties”

To grasp the gravity of Biles’ situation, it helps to understand the twisties. In gymnastics, the twisties occur when a gymnast loses the ability to orient their body during flips and twists. The mind and body disconnect; the athlete can still perform the motion physically, but the timing and spatial cues vanish. It is a phenomenon that can affect even the most experienced performers. For Biles, who had mastered some of the most difficult routines in history, the twisties indicated that her mental state was no longer safe for competition. By stepping back, she prioritized her physical safety, but the underlying cause was rooted in intense psychological pressure.

Experts in sports psychology have since pointed to the twisties as a clear example of how mental fatigue manifests physically. Dr. Brad Donohue, a professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas who specializes in mental health in sports, noted in an interview with the American Psychological Association that the twisties can be triggered by “excessive stress, lack of sleep, or emotional exhaustion.” Biles’ decision to speak openly about this condition helped demystify it for the public and gave other athletes the vocabulary to describe their own experiences.

The Global Reaction: Support, Criticism, and a Shift in Discourse

The immediate response to Biles’ withdrawal was mixed but ultimately transformative. Many praised her bravery. Fellow athletes such as tennis star Naomi Osaka, who had earlier withdrawn from the French Open to protect her mental health, voiced solidarity. Fans flooded social media with messages of support. The U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) publicly backed her decision, calling it a “remarkable act of courage.” However, there was also criticism. Some commentators accused Biles of abandoning her team and letting down her country. A few labeled her as selfish or weak, demonstrating how deeply the old stigma persisted.

Yet the tide quickly turned. As Biles explained her reasoning in more depth, the narrative shifted. Major media outlets published editorials defending her choice. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) released a statement applauding Biles for destigmatizing mental health conversations. Within weeks, the conversation had evolved from whether Biles was right or wrong to a broader discussion about how sports organizations could better support athletes’ psychological well-being. The “breaking silence” had become a movement.

The Role of Media and Public Perception

The media’s role in this shift cannot be overstated. Initially, some outlets framed Biles’ withdrawal as a shock or a controversy. But as more athletes came forward with their own stories of mental health challenges—including swimmer Michael Phelps, basketball player Kevin Love, and gymnast Aly Raisman—journalists began to focus on systemic issues. Coverage moved beyond the individual and started examining the training environments, the pressure of constant scrutiny, and the lack of mental health infrastructure in elite sports. This change in framing has helped normalize conversations about anxiety, depression, and burnout among athletes.

Social media also played a dual role. While it amplified criticism from anonymous accounts, it also gave a platform to millions of fans who shared personal stories of overcoming mental health struggles inspired by Biles. The hashtag #SimoneBiles trended for days, with many users thanking her for giving them permission to prioritize their own health. This organic support created a feedback loop that pressured sports organizations to do more than issue statements—they had to take action.

Impact on Sports Culture: Concrete Changes and Ongoing Challenges

The legacy of Simone Biles’ “breaking silence” is not just in the conversations it started but in the tangible changes that followed. One of the most significant shifts occurred within the USOPC itself. In the wake of the Tokyo Games, the committee expanded its mental health resources, hiring a director of mental health services and increasing the number of sports psychology professionals available to athletes. They also implemented mandatory mental health training for coaches and staff. These changes were not merely cosmetic; they reflected a recognition that mental health is as critical to performance as physical health.

Other sports organizations followed suit. The NCAA increased its funding for mental health initiatives, and the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) began reviewing its policies to include mental health support for gymnasts at major events. Professional leagues like the NBA and WNBA have also enhanced their mental health programs, making licensed therapists readily accessible to players. According to a report by the Wired, Biles’ influence has led to a “ripple effect” that extends beyond gymnastics into all corners of elite sports.

Changes in Sports Culture: A New Paradigm

Perhaps the most profound impact has been on the culture of sports itself. For so long, athletes were taught to suppress emotions and “tough it out.” Biles’ example has given permission to a generation of competitors to be vulnerable and honest. Here are some of the key cultural shifts we have observed:

  • Increased mental health resources: Teams and governing bodies now employ in-house psychologists and offer confidential counseling services as standard practice.
  • More open discussions: Athletes are speaking publicly about therapy, meditation, and self-care without fear of being labeled weak.
  • Recognition of commonality: Mental health challenges are now understood as universal human experiences, not personal failings.
  • Policy changes: Some competitions have introduced “mental health breaks” and flexible scheduling to accommodate athletes’ well-being.

This paradigm shift has also affected how young athletes are trained. Clubs and schools are incorporating mental wellness into their coaching curricula, teaching skills like emotional regulation and stress management from an early age. Simone Biles’ advocacy has thus had a trickle-down effect, influencing not just the elite level but the grassroots development of future generations.

The Persistent Stigma: A Work in Progress

Despite these advances, stigma has not disappeared entirely. Some corners of the sports world still cling to the old mindset. Athletes in individual sports, where performance is hyper-visible, continue to face intense scrutiny. There remains a gap between policy and practice: having a mental health professional on staff is one thing, but fostering a culture where athletes feel safe to use those resources is another. Biles herself has acknowledged that the journey is ongoing. In interviews after the Olympics, she urged fans and fellow athletes to keep the conversation alive, saying, “We can’t stop talking about it just because the Olympics are over.”

The challenges athletes face are not limited to the competition arena. Many contend with online harassment, financial pressures, and the constant demand to perform. Balancing personal well-being with professional commitments is a delicate act. Biles’ story has highlighted that mental health is not a binary state—it fluctuates, and even the strongest athletes need support. Her bravery in “breaking silence” has opened a door, but it is up to the entire sports community to walk through it together.

Challenges Faced by Athletes: A Broader Perspective

To fully appreciate what Simone Biles achieved, we must understand the unique pressures that elite athletes endure. These include but are not limited to:

  • Intense physical and mental pressure: Training schedules can exceed 40 hours per week, leaving little time for rest or recovery. Overtraining injuries are common, and the psychological toll of pushing the body to its limits is immense.
  • High expectations from fans, media, and sponsors: Athletes are often viewed as public property, expected to be perfect role models. Social media amplifies every mistake, and the constant scrutiny can lead to anxiety and depression.
  • Balancing personal well-being with professional commitments: Many athletes sacrifice relationships, education, and hobbies to pursue their sport. The narrow focus can cause identity crises when performance falters.
  • Lack of privacy: From doping tests to press conferences, athletes have little control over their own space. This lack of agency can contribute to feelings of helplessness.
  • Transient careers: Top-level athletes often have short windows of earning potential, which adds financial stress and intensifies performance anxiety.

These factors can create a perfect storm for mental health crises. Biles’ example has taught us that recognizing when to step back is not a failure—it is a strategic decision to preserve long-term health and career longevity. Her advocacy has given other athletes permission to prioritize their own well-being, even when the world expects them to be superhuman.

Conclusion: A Lasting Legacy

Simone Biles’ fight for mental health awareness, encapsulated in the phrase “breaking silence,” has fundamentally changed how we view athletes and well-being. By speaking out during the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, she did more than just protect her own mental health—she sparked a global movement that continues to reshape sports culture. Her courage has led to concrete policy changes, increased resources, and a shift in public discourse. But perhaps the most important legacy is the message that mental health is not a sign of weakness; it is a vital component of overall health that deserves the same attention as physical fitness.

The story of Simone Biles reminds us that even the strongest among us need support. It teaches us that breaking silence is an act of strength, not surrender. As we move forward, her example will continue to inspire athletes and non-athletes alike to seek help, set boundaries, and advocate for themselves. In a world that often demands we push through pain, Biles showed us the power of pausing, reflecting, and saying, “My health comes first.” That is a legacy that will outlast any medal.

“We are not just athletes. We are people at the end of the day, and sometimes we have to put our mental health first.” — Simone Biles

Her voice will echo in locker rooms, training centers, and living rooms for generations to come, reminding everyone that it is okay to not be okay—and that asking for help is the bravest thing you can do.