Simone Biles Speaks Out Again from Tokyo Olympics with Super Personal Message

Published Jul 26, 2021

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4:35pm

While Simone Biles has been focusing on her performance at the Tokyo Olympics, she's taken a few opportunities to post special messages to her Instagram account.

Just yesterday, the gymnast showed her support for teammate and friend MyKayla Skinner, who failed to qualify for an event final. “So proud of this one. No one understands the hard work & dedication it takes to come back from collegiate gymnastics & make an Olympic team,” she said.

Now, Biles has returned to Instagram to share another message, but this time, it's about her personal journey.

The 24-year-old world champion got candid about the pressure she's felt, saying, “Prelims [done] now to prepare for finals. It wasn’t an easy day or my best but I got through it. I truly do feel like I have the weight of the world on my shoulders at times. I know I brush it off and make it seem like pressure doesn’t affect me but damn sometimes it’s hard hahaha! The olympics is no joke! BUT I’m happy my family was able to be with me virtually. They mean the world to me!”

Fellow gymnasts sent messages of support, like Nastia Liukin, who said, “Proud of you, always,” and Madison Kocian, who added, “You’re amazing inside & out.” Actress Jeanté Godlock, who played Biles in a 2018 biopic, commented, “Rooting for you twinnie! You got this! ♥️.”

As a four-time gold-winning medalist at the Olympics and the winner of nineteen World Championship gold medals, we can understand why the star athlete is carrying an immense amount of pressure. Biles, who was adopted by her maternal grandfather and his second wife, has previously talked about how important she considers the support from her family whenever she feels stress. “I'm just very grateful for the opportunity and to be adopted by family and have a good head on my shoulders, but also have that guidance,” she told USA Today Sports.

We're wishing you all the best, Simone.

UPDATE: Since this piece was published, Simone Biles has again spoken out, this time about her decision to withdraw from the Olympic gymnastics team finals.

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Joel Calfee

Associate Editor, News and Entertainment

Joel is the former Associate Editor for News & Entertainment and has been reporting on all things pop culture for over 5 years. Before working at PureWow, he served as a Features Editor at ROCKET Magazine. When he's not dissecting the latest trends in entertainment (or guiding you on what to watch), he covers all the hottest red carpet looks and fashion movements. When he steps away from the keyboard, you can likely find him at an NYC concert, thrift store or LGBTQ+ bookstore happily perusing the shelves.

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