Simone Biles Gains More Praise For Mental Health Advocacy Than Taylor Swift, Survey Says

Simone Biles and the U.S. Women's Gymnastics Team captivated sports fans worldwide as they exceeded expectations at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Not only did the team break records, but they won a total of ten medals--four of which were awarded to Biles.

The 27-year-old made a triumphant return after stepping back from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics due to mental health issues and a condition known as the "twisties." Since then, Biles has been a vocal advocate for mental health, openly discussing her ongoing therapy—even during the Olympics—and urging the world to take mental health more seriously.

In fact, according to details shared with The Blast, many fans say they admire Simone Biles more than Taylor Swift for her outspoken mental health advocacy.

According to a new study, the 2024 Olympics may face record-low viewership. Per its report, only 35% of U.S. adults planned to watch a substantial amount of the Games—10% a great deal and 25% a fair amount—down from 48% in 2016 and just under 60% between 2000 and 2012.

Furthermore, the survey revealed that Americans' disinterest in this year's Olympics is highlighted by the fact that only 56% know the Games are being held in France. Historically, at least 63% of U.S. adults could accurately identify the host country in recent Summer Olympic years.

Interestingly, this level of awareness is higher than in 1948 and 1952, when fewer Americans correctly identified England (37%) and Finland (32%) as the host nations before the advent of televised Olympics.

Despite the speculated lower viewership, there's one standout exception: Simone Biles and the U.S. Women’s Gymnastics team.

In fact, 42% of Americans cited women’s gymnastics as their top event, with 68% ranking among their top three choices. And with the team reclaiming their gold, it's clear why.

Simone Biles, a global icon and one of the most decorated athletes ever, captivated millions at the Games, breaking records and taking home four medals. However, new data reveals that her admiration goes beyond her athleticism.

According to a DrFirst survey, shared with The Blast, nearly a quarter of respondents (23.2%) admire athletes like Biles (12.6%) and Michael Phelps (10.6%) for their outspoken mental health advocacy—surpassing even pop superstars like Taylor Swift!

Notably, older Americans, especially Baby Boomers, show twice the admiration for these athletes compared to Gen Z.

One of the standout moments of the Women's Gymnastics Team competition was Simone Biles’ floor routine set to Taylor Swift's “… Ready For It?” and “Delresto (Echoes)” by Travis Scott and Beyoncé.

The 27-year-old gymnast electrified the arena with the heavy beats of Swift’s track, executing a stunning triple-double tumbling pass. The routine was so popular that Taylor Swift herself reacted after watching Biles' performance.

"Watched this so many times and still unready. She’s ready for it tho," Swift wrote on X of Biles's performance, which was inspired by the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, a groundbreaking contemporary dance company founded by Ailey in 1958.

Simone Biles withdrew from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics due to mental health struggles and the immense pressure of being in the spotlight. Her decision ignited a broader conversation about the challenges faced by star athletes and the importance of listening to one's body.

"It's really important to use that support system and know they're there for you and not against you, because at the end of the day, us as humans, we hate asking for help," Biles said in 2021 when advocating for mental health. "We think we can do it on our own, but sometimes we just can't. So use every outlet given to you."

After deciding to withdraw, Simone Biles feared that the public would turn against her and that she might be "banned" from competing in the U.S.

"I thought I was going to be banned from America ‘cause that’s what they tell you: 'Don’t come back if it's not gold. Gold or bust. Don’t come back,'" the gymnast said on the "Call Her Daddy" podcast at the time. "If I could’ve got on a plane and flown home, I would’ve done it."

"But as soon as I landed I was like 'Oh, America hates me, the world is going to hate me, and I can only see what they're saying on Twitter right now,' that was my first thought," she concluded.