All eyes are on the Paris Olympics, not just for the thrilling competitions but also for the troubling experiences faced by the athletes. Simone Biles and her fellow competitors have openly discussed the challenging conditions at the Games.
Simone Biles’s performance at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games has been nothing short of exceptional. Recognized as the greatest gymnast of all time, she boasts 11 Olympic medals.
Simone Biles celebrates after the Artistic Gymnastics Women’s Floor Exercise Final at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 on August 5, 2024, in Paris, France. | Source: Getty Images
In addition, Biles has earned 30 World Championship medals, solidifying her status as the most decorated gymnast in history. A move called “the Biles” is even named after her. Despite her immense success, Biles faced a pivotal moment at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
Simone Biles competes in the Women’s Balance Beam Final at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games on August 3, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. | Source: Getty Images
During her vault routine, the gymnast experienced the “Twisties,” which is the disconnect between her brain and her body. While mid-air, she lost control of her body leading her to stumble.
Biles reflected on that infamous experience during an exclusive interview on the “Call Her Daddy” podcast in April 2024. According to the athlete, she started having the twisties during training and informed her teammates.
Simone Biles competes in the vault event during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games on July 27, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. | Source: Getty Images
“‘I’m fighting demons. I’m fighting demons right now, but I’m going to do it for you guys,'” she remembered telling them. She decided to push through that while feeling like she was fighting her body and her mind to do the tricks.
After attempting the One-and-Half, Biles’s teammates were shocked by her performance. They asked if she was okay, and she said yes, though she knew she wasn’t.
Simone Biles arrives to compete in the uneven bars event during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games on July 25, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. | Source: Getty Images
At that point, the beloved gymnast felt the pressure. They couldn’t send her fellow teammate Jordan Chiles in yet because she needed to put up a score first.
After failing at the vault, all Biles could think of was what people would say about her poor performance. She mentioned that those at home tend to be critical if their representatives fail to deliver.
Simone Biles looks on during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games on July 27, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. | Source: Getty Images
“I thought I was going to be banned from America. Because that’s what they tell you, ‘Don’t come back if it’s not gold,'” she shared. Biles described that moment in her career as “horrible,” adding she knew she would not recover because getting over twisties takes time.
Following her routine, she went to tell her coach that she wouldn’t be able to continue with the competition. While going through the motions of what happened, the Olympian still kept her composure because she didn’t want her teammates to panic.
Simone Biles and coach Cecile Landi during the Women’s Team Final at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games on July 27, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. | Source: Getty Images
Biles encouraged them to continue without her but they were skeptical about winning a medal without her. But she reminded them that they were there because they were the best.
The veteran mentioned that her decision to withdraw from the competition heavily affected her teammates because they lost their best player. “That’s something I’ll never forgive myself for,” she expressed.
Simone Biles gestures during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games on July 27, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. | Source: Getty Images
Biles knew she couldn’t have helped her team in her condition. She was surprised she managed to complete the warm-ups, compete, and land on her feet despite getting lost in the air.
While people assumed that she backed out because she didn’t want to lose, Biles explained that was far from it. She wanted to evaluate herself mentally and needed a break to do that fully.
Had she continued to compete under that condition, she would’ve probably injured herself and they would’ve been unable to replace her. Biles said if what took place had not happened, Team USA wouldn’t have won a medal.
However, she managed to redeem herself and bring the team’s reputation to glory at the Paris Olympics. Biles won four medals including one silver and three golds.
Simone Biles poses with her three gold and one silver medal on August 5, 2024, in Paris, France. | Source: Getty Images
Because of her experience with mental illness at the previous Games, the gymnast stressed the importance of mental health at this year’s sporting event. She posted a photo of herself with her eyes closed and legs crossed before competing and wrote, “Mental health matters.”
Besides her impressive achievements and keeping her mental health in check, Biles has also shared the downsides of being at the hosting nation. Paris, the fashion capital of the world, has been under massive scrutiny after athletes complained about the conditions they’re exposed to while there.
Simone Biles eating dessert, dated July 26, 2024 | Source: TikTok/simonebilesowens
Amid the ongoing sporting event, Biles gave an inside look on social media about her experience at the Olympic Village – where many other athletes are currently based during the competitions.
She posted a TikTok video showing her indulging in dessert while in her room. The clip is accompanied by a voiceover saying, “Spectacular, giving me 14 of them of them right now.”
Biles revealed online that she stopped eating at the Olympic Village cafeteria. The first day she got there, she was bombarded by people asking to take photos with her.
“Whenever I sat down to eat, my anxiety was so bad, I was shaking. And I couldn’t stop shaking and I was so overwhelmed,” she divulged on TikTok. She spent five days without eating there and opted to go to the grocery store to stock up on food and stay cooped up in her room.
Simone Biles giving a glimpse inside her Olympic Village experience, dated August 3, 2024 | Source: TikTok/simonebilesowens
Biles’ explanation of why she stopped eating at the Olympic Village sparked mixed reactions from social media users. Some support her decision and sympathize with her.
“I don’t blame her. […] Every little thing she does and doesn’t do is being scrutinized through a fine-toothed comb,” said one user, adding people should give Biles some privacy to deal with her anxiety among other things to keep her mental health in check.
Simone Biles getting her makeup done, dated August 3, 2024 | Source: TikTok/simonebilesowens
Another expressed, “Anxiety is terrible. I suffer from it really bad. I’m so glad hers is under control enough that she got to stay focus and participate in the Olympics.”
Meanwhile, others disagreed with one person writing, “She’s stuck up,” another added, “[She] doesn’t eat with the peasants lol.” One assumed, “Probably embarrassed.”
Someone else remarked, “She’s a messy eater?” While another online user slammed the gold medalist’s choice to eat alone, stating, “That’s a really silly reason.”
Apart from Biles’s personal experience, other athletes have decided to retreat from the Olympic Village altogether due to some startling conditions.
Olympic Village pictured on July 31, 2024, in Paris, France | Source: YouTube/Firstpost
There are reports of them leaving the location for hotels with complaints about poor facilities by tennis star, Coco Gauff. The same Village that was initially praised for its stellar set-up, is now being critiqued for bad conditions.
Biles complained about poor quality mattresses, while another tennis player, Emma Navarro complained about cardboard beds also referred to as anti-sex beds.
Other athletes revealed there are no air conditions in their rooms, and are forced to buy their own toilet papers. Gauff disclosed there are two bathrooms shared by ten athletes. As a result, many of her teammates decided to go to hotels when she remained behind.
Moreover, the biggest discussion amid the complaints has been the shortage of food. Indian medal winner, Manu Bhaker disclosed that there is a lack of proper food.
The Village reportedly prepared to serve 13 million meals but upon arrival, athletes reported there were no protein meals or received sub-par meals.
In addition, there is reportedly a shortage of eggs, and so the city opted to serve green menus to the athletes. Some of the athletes have even opted to cook their own meals.
American swimmer Abbey Weitzeil shared a TikTok video alongside her teammate getting the ingredients needed to make lunch. “We can’t get ourselves to get into the dining hall today,” she said, as the clip further showed them having sandwiches filled with eggs.
Team USA gymnasts also weighed in on the quality of food subject matter during a press conference following their gold win. Asked if they were enjoying the French cuisine, they reportedly hesitated to respond as they looked at each other before Biles stepped in.
She explained, “I don’t think we’re having proper French cuisine in the village like you guys might be eating because you’re outside the village. For the athletes, it’s a little bit…healthier.”
While Biles gave a sugar-coated response, her teammate, Hezly Rivera was more direct. “I don’t think it’s very good, at least what we’re having in the dining hall,” she said.
Adam Peaty has criticized the Paris 2024 Olympic organizers for the poor quality and insufficient quantity of food provided to athletes. After finishing fourth in the 4x100m medley relay, Peaty highlighted issues such as a lack of protein options and long queues in the Olympic Village.
He compared the food unfavorably to previous Games in Tokyo and Rio. The Paris 2024 organizers responded by saying they took the feedback seriously and had made changes, though they could not confirm Peaty’s specific complaints.
Peaty emphasized the importance of proper nutrition for performance and urged for improvements, noting that athletes are the best source of feedback for such issues.
The Paris 2024 Olympics highlighted both the triumphs and challenges athletes face, with Simone Biles’s candid revelations about anxiety and tough conditions sparking important discussions.
