Hey, Hollywooders! What’s Good in the ‘Wood?
Earlier this week, we saw P!nk stand up for the Norwegian beach handball team’s choice to wear shorts instead of the required bikini bottoms, offering to pay their fine (which the European Handball Federation decided to donate anyway to a “major international sports foundation which supports equality for women and girls in sports”).
On July 27th, reports started popping up about Simone Biles deciding to pull out from the Tokyo Olympic Games.
The USA Gymnastics Twitter account confirmed the news in a statement, stating that Simone Biles has withdrawn from both the individual and all-team all-around competitions at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics “in order to focus on her mental health.”
After further medical evaluation, Simone Biles has withdrawn from the final individual all-around competition. We wholeheartedly support Simone’s decision and applaud her bravery in prioritizing her well-being. Her courage shows, yet again, why she is a role model for so many. pic.twitter.com/6ILdtSQF7o
— USA Gymnastics (@USAGym) July 28, 2021
USA Gymnastics continues by saying, “We wholeheartedly support Simone’s decision… Her courage shows, yet again, why she is a role model for so many.”
We couldn’t agree more! As much as athletes like Simone Biles entertain us, they’re human too. It’s so important for young athletes to see someone like Simone advocating for themselves, even while under the pressure of a worldwide spotlight.
Simone Biles fans shower her with support
While some prominent figures are criticizing her decision, they’re outnumbered by Simone’s supporters from across the globe.
Let’s focus on the good and share some of our favorite tweets from Simone Biles fans:
America still loves you, Simone Biles. In fact, we love you twice as much as we did yesterday. @Simone_Biles pic.twitter.com/JJS6kMNvvn
— Lorenzo The Cat (@LorenzoTheCat) July 28, 2021
The Simone Biles situation is very unique and everyone should be supportive. Why? This isn’t golf. If a gymnast is not 100% mentally ‘there’ the day of competition / totally ‘in the zone’, she can literally end up paralyzed.
She HAS to be mentally well to compete.— A.J. Delgado (@AJDelgado13) July 28, 2021
Simone Biles won’t see your critical tweets, but your friends and family struggling with their mental health will.
— Danielle Butcher (@DaniSButcher) July 28, 2021
I was 14 y/o w/ a tibial stress fracture, left alone w/ no cervical spine exam after this fall. I competed in the Olympic floor final minutes later. @Simone_Biles ? decision demonstrates that we have a say in our own health—“a say” I NEVER felt I had as an Olympian. pic.twitter.com/LVdghdAh1g
— Dominique Moceanu (@Dmoceanu) July 28, 2021
Thank you, @Simone_Biles, for showing us what it looks like to truly take care of yourself and reminding us that mental health always comes first.
She’s the greatest of all time and doesn’t owe us a thing.
— Mondaire Jones (@MondaireJones) July 28, 2021
If you think Simone Biles is “weak” then you don’t understand sport, competition, or “toughness”
That’s it. You’re giving away your ignorance.
— Steve Magness (@stevemagness) July 28, 2021
All of us at Hollywood.com support you, Simone Biles, and anyone putting their mental and physical health first! That’s more important than ANY medal or award.
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