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Update On Simone Biles

By Mike Huckabee

July 28, 2021
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The Olympic gymnast who was expected to dominate the Tokyo Games pulled out of all team events and has now dropped out of individual events as well and will not defend her title.

https://fox40.com/japan-2020/simone-biles-withdraws-from-all-around-gymnastics-competition-wont-defend-title/

Without her, the US women’s gym team lost the gold for the first time in 13 years, coming in second to Russia.

https://www.westernjournal.com/us-loses-gymnastics-gold-first-time-13-years-self-proclaimed-greatest-time-simone-biles-pulls/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=huckabee

Ms Biles explained that she was not physically injured, but was feeling too emotionally shaky to go on. She said, “Once I came out here (to compete), I was like, ‘No, mental is not there so I just need to let the girls do it and focus on myself.’”

Her last-minute withdrawal drew harsh criticism from some analysts, who accused her of being self-centered and said if she couldn’t compete, she should have let someone else take her place rather than leaving her team in the lurch. Kylee Zempel at the Federalist took that view.

https://thefederalist.com/2021/07/27/theres-no-i-in-team-but-there-is-in-simone-biles/

Others took Biles’ side, noting that she had been one of former team doctor Larry Nassar’s sexual assault victims, and people shouldn’t judge her if they don’t know what she’s going through.

One of the best commentaries was from radio host Mark Davis, who didn’t rebuke Ms Biles but considered what this says about how attitudes have softened and how the value of exhibiting mental toughness when the going gets tough is slipping away.

https://townhall.com/columnists/markdavis/2021/07/28/the-simone-biles-moment-reveals-our-softened-world-n2593215

As for me, I will pray for Ms Biles to achieve her peace, and also root for the US Women’s Team to call on their mental toughness to succeed without her.

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Permalink: https://www.mikehuckabee.com/2021/7/update-on-simone-biles

Comments 21-30 of 42

  • Darlene Yamane

    08/01/2021 08:12 PM

    Thank you for including Simone Biles and the controversy surrounding her stepping down from the US gymnastics team. I feel a lot of pain for what she is going through. I've read several stories, and one had comments from some of the top gymnasts that it was only due to her tremendous skill that she wasn't seriously injured in the vault that she did. For most people, we have no idea about how an incorrect landing could cause serious injury, if not paralysis, and she was doing very complicated dangerous movements in her routines. I'm thankful that she had the courage to step down and to say that it was because she wasn't all there mentally. She is the only remaining woman who was raped that went to Tokyo. Who knows what happened once she was there, or perhaps even before she went? Given all of her sacrifice and commitment to reach the heights she has reached as a gymnast made her decision extremely difficult, I'm sure. I greatly admire her.

  • Don Walker

    08/01/2021 07:39 PM

    I received this from a medical provider that I know. It explains a lot:
    So here's a Medical Perspective on Simone Biles that most people condemning her don't know. Simone Biles has been on Ritalin since she was a child. For the 2016 Olympics she was given a medical exemption to take her Prescription Medication and still compete. For the 2020 Games she was not given that exemption and has most likely been going "COLD Turkey" since that medication is illegal in Japan. I find it amazing that she has been competing without one of her main medications but also scary as to what she's been going through over the last maybe few weeks to a month? As someone who has worked on a detox unit... I feel her pain and all the negativity surrounding her has probably made things worse. Mental Health is very important and we have to give people Grace or just trust that they are doing the best things for themselves. Look up withdrawal symptoms of Ritalin and then re-read all your comments about this young woman. And FYI like most mood stabilizing medications they should not be stopped abruptly.

  • C & R Freund

    08/01/2021 07:39 PM

    Mr Huckabee

    We Americans are being attacked on multiple fronts today, IMMIGRATION & LAWLESSNESS ARE EXAMPLES and are heading to socialism really fast & ALL AMERICANS are solely dependent upon the likes of you for keeping them at bay.
    QUESTION.... IT SEEMS THE REPUBLICANS ARE GOING TO HAND THE DEMOCRATS A VICTORY WITH THE INFRASTRUCTURE BILL; WHY ARE WE DOING THIS WHEN THEY WILL VOTE WITH RECONCILIATION IS GOING TO HAPPEN AND ALLOWING THEM TO PASS BILLS THAT WILL HELP DESTROY OUR SOCIETY AND COST 3-5 TRILLION DOLLARS?? WE NEED LOTS OF SOMEONES TO LOUDLY PROCLAIM THIS ISSUE & ALL OTHER EVIL BEHAVIOR BEING EXHIBITED BY THESE EVIL DEMOCRATS TO BE SHOUTED FROM EVERYONE WHO BELIEVES IN AMERICA THE LAND OF THE FREE. THANKS FOR YOUR HELP & PLEASE JOIN WITH TRUMP TO STOP SUCH IDIOTIC DEMOCRATIC FANTASIES OF TURNING OUR COUNTRY INTO SOCIALISM.

  • dave allen

    07/29/2021 12:11 PM

    i'd say a lot of the pressure she was under was SELF-IMPOSED, calling herself the greatest ever. gotta be a lesson there, tho pride tends to inhibit learning. kudos to the rest if the team, especially Sunisa Lee, for giving their all and bringing home gold.

  • Karen Ratti

    07/29/2021 11:53 AM

    NO ONE has the right to judge Simone Biles (or anyone else, for that matter). This woman gave her all to gymnastics since she was 7 years old. It's obvious she's had a mental breakdown... (does anyone really want to see her get hurt on a piece of equipment???). It's unfortunate it happened when it did, but, she did the right thing. Yes, she's the best in the world (and has been for quite some time), but... she's NOT unbreakable! Mental illness (and, there are all kinds at all levels) requires HELP, not judgement. God bless you, Simone! We're praying for you!

  • Joe M

    07/29/2021 08:35 AM

    1996 Olympic gymnast Kerri Strug, went on to compete with a badly injured ankle. You work so hard for so long and Simone Biles decides to drop out. Very unfortunate.

  • michael f sandler md

    07/28/2021 09:24 PM

    As I have been saying all day, those of you who have not been in the situation, and who probably have never faced the idea of a career (or life) ending accident, should simply hold your tongues. And that goes for Mike Huckabee, one of my favorite people, too

  • Robert B Davis

    07/28/2021 08:27 PM

    Why do I get the impression there's more to this. Mental toughness should be second nature to any athlete. That's what competition requires and she's proven she can compete above all others. I'd bet some leftist group has threatened her, her family or team mates. Now that would be believable more than her excuse.

  • Mary Joan Fuhrman

    07/28/2021 07:18 PM

    She did what was best for her and since they were not going to give her the rightful credits because she is that good Good for you there Simone Biles .

  • Marylee Sprague

    07/28/2021 06:29 PM

    I think it is very reasonable to withdraw from risky maneuvers when your spirit and confidence are so shaken. She is sensible enough to know that there is life beyond the olympics and no medal is worth a broken and crippled body. If she had participated and fallen, would that have helped her team?

Mike Huckabee

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