U.S. Olympic gymnast Simone Biles said on Thursday that she is still fearful of gymnastics after her recent bout with the “twisties” that led to her withdrawal from several events at the Tokyo Olympics.
During the Olympics, Biles, who is widely considered the greatest U.S. gymnast of all time, withdrew from all but one event citing mental health concerns and an experience known as the “twisties,” or a disconnect between an athlete’s mind and body.
After the games, Biles, who still won a bronze medal for her balance beam performance, returned to gymnastics as part of the Gold Over America Tour.
“The twisting once I got back will come back, but I’m still scared to do gymnastics,” Biles said on NBC’s “Today.”
While she does perform her signature tricks during her floor routine, Biles does not do any midair twisting on the tour.
“To do something that I’ve done forever and just not be able to do it because of everything I’ve gone through is really crazy because I love this sport so much,” Biles said on “Today.”
“It’s hard. I’m sorry,” Biles added tearfully. “And I don’t think people understand the magnitude of what I go through, but for so many years to go through everything that I’ve gone through having a front, I’m proud of myself.”
Since the Olympics, Biles has said that she should have “quit way before Tokyo” noting the overwhelming media attention related to disgraced doctor Larry Nassar’s abuse.
“We have been failed and we deserve answers,” Biles said last month during testimony to the Senate Judiciary Committee regarding the abuse.
During her appearance on “Today,” Biles also announced that she will serve as chief impact officer for the mental health app Cerebral in addition to investing in the company.