At the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, Simone Biles, one of the most decorated gymnasts in history, paused competing during the team final and later withdrew from several individual events, including the women’s team all-around and individual all-around. This sequence was linked to a medical and mental health condition she described as the "twisties," a sudden loss of spatial awareness in midair. The decisions were made in consultation with the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee and her care team. Below is a structured breakdown of key facts, context, and outcomes related to what happened to Simone Biles in Tokyo.
Defining the Twisties Under Pressure
The twisties are a temporary disruption in a gymnast’s air awareness that can make safe execution of skills impossible. For elite gymnasts, this phenomenon can be triggered by stress, fatigue, or trauma and represents a significant medical and performance concern. In Tokyo, Biles cited the twisties as the primary reason for reducing her workload and withdrawing from certain events, emphasizing athlete safety over competition results.
Medical and Mental Health Context
Biles framed the twisties as a mental health and medical issue, not a lack of skill or preparation. She explained that her brain would not allow her to perform the twisting and flipping required for elite gymnastics, citing a risk of serious injury. Her public communication about the condition helped normalize conversations about mental health in elite sport and demonstrated the high-stakes nature of competing at the Olympic level.
Key Decisions and Event Withdrawals
On the day of the team final, Biles competed only on vault and then withdrew from the team final, later skipping the women’s team all-around and individual all-around. She returned for the balance beam final, winning bronze, and competed on floor exercise in the respective finals, earning bronze as well. These choices reflected a stepped approach to manage risk while preserving opportunities to compete in apparatus-specific finals where she felt safer.
Timeline of What Happened in Tokyo
| Date / Period | Event or Decision | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| July 2021 (Tokyo Games week) | Team final withdrawal after vault only | Acknowledged acute medical issue under Olympic pressure |
| July 2021 | Skipped women’s team and individual all-around | Prioritized health and long-term safety over medal count |
| July 2021 | Returned for balance beam and floor exercise finals | Strategic return when confidence and safety conditions improved |
| Post-Tokyo | Discussed twisties openly in media and advocacy | Shifted cultural conversation around mental health in sport |
Athlete Safety and Support Systems
Biles’ decisions in Tokyo were made with input from the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee, her coaches, and medical professionals. This highlighted how elite programs structure support for athlete welfare, including mental health resources and real-time medical oversight. Her case became a reference point for how organizations should respond when an athlete’s safety is at risk during major competitions.
Immediate Support and Long-Term Implications
- Care Team Involvement: Medical and psychological professionals were engaged to address the twisties.
- Organizational Backing: The U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee publicly supported her choices, reinforcing athlete-first policies.
- Precedent for Future Responses: Tokyo informed how governing bodies prepare for similar situations in subsequent Games.
Public Communication and Cultural Impact
Biles used interviews and social media to explain her situation in clear, accessible terms, describing symptoms, fears, and the importance of stepping back. This transparency influenced public discourse, reducing stigma around mental health challenges for elite athletes. Her experience underscored that even the highest-performing athletes require safeguards and recovery time when facing medical conditions.
Narrative Shifts After Tokyo
Following Tokyo, coverage of elite gymnastics increasingly includes discussion of athlete well-being, mental health accommodations, and the physiological demands of the sport. Biles’ decisions in Tokyo remain a touchstone for conversations about sustainable training, injury prevention, and athlete autonomy in high-pressure environments.
Legacy and Context in Her Career
While Tokyo represented a rare interruption in an otherwise decorated career, it did not diminish Biles’ historical standing as one of the most accomplished gymnasts ever. Instead, it added a dimension to her legacy: an athlete who prioritized health and safety at the highest level of competition. Subsequent returns to major competition have reaffirmed her skill while validating the choices she made to protect her well-being in Tokyo.