Olympics: Gymnastics
Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

The Olympic gymnast Simone Biles is firing back at naysayers who say that she “choked” during her infamous bout with the “twisties” during the Tokyo Olympics back in 2021.

If you don’t know what the twisties are, think of it as the “yips” but for gymnasts. It’s not good!

Biles Hits Back At Haters

Biles, a 27 year-old four-time Olympic gold medalist, responded to these critics in the new Netflix docuseries Simone Biles Rising. She read one social media post in particular alleging that she “choked.”

Using a derisive tone, Biles hit back by saying that whoever wrote the post was “sitting on your couch watching me from home. OK.” 

“I really don’t need your two cents,” Biles continued. “And not your two cents because you guys can’t even do a cartwheel.”

Biles’ Tokyo Olympics Experience

During the Tokyo Olympics, Biles withdrew from several events, saying at the time that she was experiencing the “twisties.” This is known as a mental block gymnasts deal with when they lose control of their bodies mid-air. After stumbling in the vault competition, Biles did not take part in the team final.

Thankfully, Biles was able to return for the balance beam final in Tokyo. She ultimately took home the bronze medal in that event. During the Tokyo Olympics, Team USA received the silver for the team competition.

In her docuseries, Biles opened up about experiencing the “twisties” during a vault move.

“If I could have run out of that stadium, I would have,” Biles said. “But I was like ‘keep it cool, calm, collected. Don’t freak anybody out.’” 

Related: Simone Biles Defends Team USA After Controversial Comments By Olympic Silver Medalist MyKayla Skinner

Biles’ Calf Injury In Paris

Biles is currently in Paris competing in the 2024 Olympics. While warming up for floor exercise during qualifying on Sunday, Biles unfortunately injured her calf. Despite this injury, she was able to get top scores on floor and vault on her way to topping the all-around.

When asked if she was doing alright after this, Biles bluntly told CNN, “Yep. As good as I can be.”

Indeed, Biles appears to have shaken this injury off, as she is listed in the lineup for all four events during Tuesday night’s Olympic team finals. Biles is set to go last for the U.S. on three events: vault, floor exercise and balance beam. She will be up second on uneven bars.

Related: These Olympian Influencers Are Hoping To Bring Home More Social Media Followers Than Medals

Team USA Coach ‘Really Proud’ Of Biles

Though they finished runner-up to Russia in Tokyo, the Americans are heavily favored to win gold in Paris. U.S. gymnastics coach Cecile Landi told reporters that even after the calf injury, Biles never considered dropping out.

“I can’t express it,” she said. “I’m really proud of her and what she’s been through and what she’s showing the world what she’s capable of doing.”

Biles is widely seen as the face of the U.S. Olympic movement. On Sunday morning, celebrities like Tom Cruise, John Legend, Chrissy Teigen, and Jessica Chastain attended the Olympics to watch her compete. NBC has heavily featured Biles in promotional ads for the Olympics, highlighting just what a draw she really is.

After what happened in Tokyo, Biles is clearly eager to redeem herself. For the sake of Team USA, we hope that Biles continues to prove her haters wrong and brings home the gold!

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