Simone Biles Gets Emotional In Netflix Series Discussing Tokyo Olympics Withdrawal

Simone Biles, 27, withdrew from several events during the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, primarily due to mental health concerns. She experienced the "twisties," a dangerous condition for gymnasts where they lose awareness during tricks and twists in the air.

Biles' withdrawal sparked a global conversation about the pressures faced by elite athletes and the importance of prioritizing mental health. Many praised her courage in speaking openly about her struggles and taking steps to prioritize her well-being. The 27-year-old returned to compete in the balance beam final, where she won a bronze medal, but her decision to prioritize her mental health remains a significant moment in Olympic history.

Her story will be told in the upcoming Netflix docuseries, "Simone Biles Rising," where she reflects on her decision to withdraw from the 2020 Olympics.

The four-time Olympian withdrew from the 2020 Olympics due to the immense stress and pressure she was under. While it was a tough decision, Simone Biles calls it a "win."

"Walking away from the Olympic Games was a win in itself. I know a lot of people thought I failed because they expected me to go out with five or six medals, but walking out of it was my biggest win," Biles told Brené Brown at the Simmons Leadership Conference, according to PEOPLE Magazine. "I had to put myself into consideration for one of the first times throughout my career. Most of the time, I've always put myself on the back burner, because I've always cared and thought about everybody else before myself."

The term "twisties" gained attention during the Tokyo 2020 Olympics when Simone Biles withdrew from several events, citing mental health concerns related to experiencing the "twisties."

In gymnastics, the "twisties" refer to a mental block that can cause gymnasts to lose control of their movements while performing twisting skills in the air, making it dangerous to continue performing routines.

This condition can be mentally and physically distressing for gymnasts, as it affects their ability to control their movements mid-air, potentially leading to serious injury if they land improperly.

Biles' decision to prioritize her mental health and safety brought significant awareness to the pressures athletes face and the importance of mental well-being in competitive sports.

Following the 2020 Olympics, Simone Biles has done a lot of self-reflection, which has led her to where she is today.

"We are all the authors of our own journeys, and I am in a place in my life where I’m comfortable with who I am and what I’ve been through as an athlete, but most of all, as a person," Biles said in a statement, per TODAY. "Gymnastics is what I do but it's not who I am, and I'm excited for people to see another side of me outside of competition."

"I know there are young girls out there who look to me for inspiration and are faced with similar challenges, and my hope is that this documentary helps to empower them to be true to who they are and never give up on their dreams," she added in a statement.

On Wednesday, June 19, Netflix dropped the trailer for "Simone Biles Rising," which featured the Olympian reflecting on her decision to withdraw from the 2020 Olympics.

The 2-minute clip showed a compilation of Biles talking to the producers while sitting on her couch, clips from the 2020 Olympics, and self-shot video footage of the 27-year-old crying as she talked about the tough decision to walk away four years ago.

The official synopsis for the upcoming series will tell Simone Biles's story as she "was one of the biggest stories leading into" the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. As many sports fans know, she withdrew from the competition, citing mental health struggles and "the twisties."

"Since then, Simone has put in the hard work: facing the difficult traumas of her past, learning to manage her mental health, embracing her journey, and in the process, rebuilding her gymnastics from the ground up," the synopsis reads. "Her courage to soar knows no bounds as this summer she plans to return to the Olympic stage once again to do what she’s always done — be the best Simone that she can be. Because through it all, Simone still rises."

"Simone Biles Rising" premieres on Netflix on July 17.