Team USA forward Jayson Tatum slams American activist for calling Simone Biles a “selfish sociopath” after the gymnast withdrew from the team final event to focus on her mental health.
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After nearly an entire year of delay, the 2020 Tokyo Olympics have finally commenced. Even though the Games have been more different than ever – with no fans, and athletes living in a bio-bubble, the drama and passion at Tokyo has been to its fullest.
Recently, superstar American gymnast Simone Biles had decided to withdraw from the team final competition on Tuesday. At first, she had an awkward landing from her vault exercise. While everyone thought Biles withdrew from the event thinking it would be a physical issue, the 24-year-old disclosed that it was due to her mental health. She said:
“After the performance I did I just didn’t want to go on. Injury? No,” she said. “Just a little injury to my pride.”
“I have to focus on my mental health, I just think mental health is more prevalent in sports right now … we have to protect our minds and our bodies and not just go out and do what the world wants us to do.
“I don’t trust myself as much anymore … maybe it’s getting older. There were a couple of days when everybody tweets you and you feel the weight of the world. We’re not just athletes, we’re people at the end of the day and sometimes you just have to step back. I didn’t want to go out and do something stupid and get hurt. It’s so big, it’s the Olympic Games, at the end of the day we don’t want to be carried out of there on a stretcher.”
Jayson Tatum defends Simone Biles after being criticised by several and being called a “selfish sociopath” by activist Charlie Kirk
The four-time Olympic gold medalist shocked everyone by skipping the women’s team final event, but was very much present helping and cheering on her teammates. However, the USA fell to a young Russian Olympic Committee, becoming the first team in 11 years to beat the Americans in a major competition since 2011.
As soon as Simone and her team finished the event second, haters started criticising Biles. An American activist, Charlie Kirk, called the young prodigy a “selfish sociopath” and even a “shame to the country”.
Jayson Tatum was one of several people who were disgusted with the way Kirk spoke about the American legend and immediately came to Simone’s defence. The team USA forward tweeted:
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It’s absolutely great to see several athletes like Tatum showering Simone Biles with all their love and support. Biles revealed how she could possibly compete next in the women’s all-around final. If she does manage to compete in the upcoming events, Biles will undoubtedly be the strong favourite to win all golds.
