I haven’t been able to watch too much of the 2024 Paris Olympics, but one story has caught my eye, and that is how Simone Biles is once again dominating women’s gymnastics. As of this writing on Sunday, August 4th, she has secured her third gold medal, with two more events to go in the gymnastics competition. Were she to medal in those events she would match her 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics total of five medals, four gold and one bronze. Biles’ performance at the Paris Olympics has once again demonstrated her unparalleled talent, resilience, and determination. And, how she has bounced back from her sudden withdrawal from the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo to her success this year is also a nod to her vulnerability.
“Do not judge me by my successes; judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again.”
--Nelson Mandela
Biles withdrew from the Tokyo Olympics to focus on her mental health, which she was very open about. At the time, she discussed her struggles with the "twisties," a condition that affects gymnasts' spatial awareness, and her decision to prioritize her well-being over competition was widely applauded. This move sparked important conversations about mental health in sports. Her acknowledgement and withdrawal was met with overwhelming approval by her Olympic teammates at the time, and allowed others to open up about their mental health struggles as elite athletes.
Not to say that there weren’t those who were critical of her for withdrawing. For example, in 2021, on an appearance on Fox News, J.D. Vance, the current Republican vice-presidential candidate, said “I think it reflects pretty poorly on our sort of therapeutic society that we try to praise people, not for moments of strength, not for moments of heroism, but for their weakest moments.” Vance was running for the US Senate at the time from his home state of Ohio.
This type of criticism is common in many circles of people who don’t understand what vulnerability is and how acknowledging our fears, confronting our weaknesses, and being willing to talk about them, are all signs of remarkable strength and courage. As I write in my book, Large and In Charge No More—A Journey to Vulnerable Leadership, “although showing vulnerability by admitting limitations and seeking help from others can feel uncomfortable, result in unfavorable comparisons with others, and cause doubts about ability, these feelings will always be short-term. The benefits, on the other hand, will be long-term.”
At 27 years of age and as noted in Forbes, Biles is a leader on the US Olympic team. Her leadership of Team USA has been instrumental in their success at the Games. Her presence and guidance have been invaluable, particularly to younger teammates who look up to her as a mentor. Her ability to perform under pressure and inspire those around her has solidified her role as a leader both on and off the mat.
Biles' comeback is not just about physical prowess but also about mental fortitude. Her ability to overcome obstacles and return to the highest level of competition serves as an inspiration to athletes and non-athletes alike. She has shown that acknowledging one's vulnerabilities and taking steps to address them are signs of strength, not weakness.
As a role model, Simone Biles embodies the qualities of resilience, courage, and leadership. Her achievements so far at the 2024 Paris Olympics highlight her enduring legacy in gymnastics and her broader impact on the sports world. By previously in Tokyo prioritizing her mental health and advocating for others to do the same, Biles has paved the way for future generations to pursue their passions without compromising their well-being, to know it’s OK to raise a hand, take a knee, backup, regroup, and then give it another shot.
Few can understand let alone relate to the pressure these athletes endure to compete on the world stage, and the years of intense training, focus, dedication, and commitment to get to where they are. They are true elites. What they’ve gone through is beyond comprehension to all but a very few of us. I applaud Simone Biles for the courage she has shown by being vulnerable, acknowledging her issues, dealing with them, and then delighting us all once more with her brilliance. Bravo!