I can't imagine the board uproar if Ian Book took himself out of a game and said his head was not in it? Or the better comparison here might be Tom Brady or Jordan as GOATs.
And people would be even more upset if he cheered on the sidelines and said it was for the good of the team.
I feel bad for her (and I mean that sincerely), but also having a hard time with the pity when she is on every third commercial... I guess I expect for the athlete to compete (and then everyone can comment on how they choked under pressure.)
a possible angle to all this...
Simone Biles has shown that she's GOAT material, especially when it comes to winning the overall gymnast title and quite possibly more than one individual medal...should she go 'all out' to help an already talented group with the team medal and risk an injury that could cost her...and the USA...additional medals and national prestige?
Unlike swimming or track and field, there is a lot of danger in gymnastics...very intense and aggressive exercises that shock and stress the body, with little margin for error. I'm sure that Simone has seen enough of these in her career already...plus, this will be her last Olympics...no chance for a comeback performance in four years...this is it. So, it's plausible that the best approach for her and the USA team is for her to be at her physical best when the individual events take place...btw, even her former teammate, Aly Raisman, supports her.
Just thought I'd throw that in...we'll see what happens.
Viper : I flew with your old man. VF-51, the Oriskany. You're a lot like he was. Only better... and worse. He was a natural heroic son of a bitch that one.
Maverick : So he did do it right.
Viper : Yeah, he did it right... Is that why you fly the way you do? Trying to prove something? Yeah, your old man did it right. What I'm about to tell you is classified. It could end my career. We were in the worst dogfight I ever dreamed of. There were bogeys like fireflies all over the sky. His F-4 was hit, and he was wounded, but he could've made it back. He stayed in it, saved three planes before he bought it.
Maverick : How come I never heard that before?
Viper : Well, that's not something the State Department tells dependents when the battle occurred over the wrong line on some map.
Maverick : So you were there?
Viper : I was there. What's on your mind?
Maverick : My options, sir.
Viper : Simple. First you've acquired enough points to show up tomorrow and graduate with your Top Gun class, or you can quit. There'd be no disgrace. That spin was hell, it would've shook me up.
Maverick : So you think I should quit?
Viper : I didn't say that. The simple fact is you feel responsible for Goose and you have a confidence problem. Now I'm not gonna sit here and blow sunshine up your ass, Lieutenant. A good pilot is compelled to evaluate what's happened, so he can apply what he's learned. Up there, we gotta push it. That's our job. It's your option, Lieutenant. All yours.
Maverick : Sorry to bother you on a Sunday, sir, but thank you very much for your time.
Viper : No problem. Good luck.
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Everyone makes the team, everyone plays, everyone gets a trophy = no character, no pride and a quitter attitude. I don’t give a damn about her but to do that to your teammates shows her true colors. We are a raising generations of weak minded people that are low in character and pride and worse are told how wonderful they are. The first sign of adversity and they fold like a cheap suit. This is what save spaces produce and helicopter moms, country better wake up! Why is she even on TV, if she is mentally incapacitated she should be in a room under psych evaluation. Such a sad country we’ve become.
“I was like, ‘I am not in the right headspace. I am not going to lose a medal for this country and these girls because they’ve worked way too hard to have me go out there and lose a medal.’”
“I didn't want to go into any of the other events not believing in myself. So I thought it was better to take a step back and let these other girls do the job. And they did.”
I hate it she couldn't show her best stuff.
The 'other events' she's referencing are all individual events, during which her performance, or lack thereof, only affects her. How brave that she doesn't want to go into those events not believing in herself.
Let's hope her 'headspace' issues clear in time to win some individual golds.
Just hope she doesn’t try to self treat her mental issues.
If they are serious she needs professional help.
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because Biles took her spot and then bailed.
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Biles has her fame, screwed them out of their chance.
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I have to believe this self doubt didn't just suddenly creep up on her in the moment. She must have had some lingering doubts leading up to the trials about whether or not she could go through the pressure of another Olympics. That being the case (again, I'm just speculating) the right thing would have been to step aside and let someone else go.
I can only imagine the pressure from sponsors for her to deliver and her not wanting to let them down (or lose her meal ticket) would have made a decision to step aside before the Olympics incredibly hard, but it would have been the right time to do it.
The pressure for favorites to deliver is immense. It is why we often see rookie teenagers sneak a gold (i.e. Jacoby from Alaska last night) ... as the kids do not have the same pressure.
[Let's see how Ledecky does tonight].
Biles is a true champion, and already the most dominant in her sport.
On the other hand, these athletes compete year round, and are used to big time stages. Mental toughness is part of the deal.
But, no stage compares to the Olympics. Simone had tons of attention poured upon her by the media and Madison Avenue leading up to the hype of these games.
I make no excuses for Simone. But, I understand how she may have crossed a tipping point, and am truly sympathetic for her predicament. I wholeheartedly agree w/ Baron's sentiments below that Simone wisely recognized that she was in a danger zone.
Can’t have it both ways.
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I still don't see any historical comparison and don't quite get it... more of a why now question?
I am sure we all can think of those that "choked" on the big stage
I can also think of those that "rose to the occasion" "blocked it out"
Not sure I can remember anyone who stepped aside?
There is a dignity in being Billy Buckner. Never a loser in my book.
Have no time for Simone.
And she said that she knew it wasn’t there which she also felt wasn’t fair to her teammates.
She is greater than Michael Jordan at her sport. She has multiple moves named after her. She has won multiple golds and everything else over 2 previous Olympics, and it would have been 3 if not for her being 1 yr too young.
The IOC was not going to let her do her some of her routine because it was felt too dangerous (for the other gymnasts who would try to copy it).
Remember this girl? Kerri Strug. Badly injured ankle. Coach tells her the team needs to perform the vault, in spite of the ankle injury. She does it, and it's very painful. Coach has to carry her off.
She did it for her teammates.
Biles simply said, nope, I'm not on tonight, so goodbye and good luck. I'll cheer for you from the sidelines. Mental health, ya know?
Was she required to do those difficult routines? Could she have dialed it back?
Every athlete risks injury, every time out. If you bail on your teammates during a TEAM event at the Olympics....wow.
She's very likeable and seems like a good person. I think she made a mistake.
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It's clearly Tom Holland.
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great. Now she will be questioned for mental toughness. Geez what the hell is going on with these athletes? Wokeness plus.
Yet, no one is supposed to criticize her when she just quits on her team in the middle of the Olympics. Pathetic.
and then wonder what is the root cause. She is a tremendous athlete that has competed on the largest stages and as near as I can tell could not be more celebrated?
do your best. You don’t quit like she did.
why she did the right thing... especially when she is on the cover of People or appearing on Oprah.
way, just quit. What a terrible example for an athlete.
money