5 Times Simone Biles Redefined Women's Empowerment in Sports

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Simone Biles is one of the world's best gymnasts, with 32 Olympic and World Championship medals. First woman to land a Yurchenko double pike and first Black woman to win five elite gymnastics titles, Biles made history.

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Biles's vault made her rethink her career and mental health. Biles told the New York Times that she felt disoriented in the air and didn't know where she was.

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Many Americans judged it too. Many Instagram and Twitter users accused Biles of utilizing mental health to resign and avoid pressure. This is far from true.

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Along with the tremendous mental barrier, Biles was one of the last remaining Olympic competitors who was sexually abused by Larry Nassar. In 2016, Nassar was accused of sexually assaulting over 500 young girls while treating several elite and Olympic gymnasts.

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Biles addressed her mental health reasons for withdrawing from the Olympics in NPR interviews. She told NPR that Naomi Osaka's mental health withdrawal from Wimbledon motivated her to step back.

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Biles is a role model for me and all young female gymnasts. I have always respected Biles for her power and commitment as a gymnast, but she has earned my admiration for addressing mental health.

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