Manchester United and France star midfielder Paul Pogba has sent a message of appreciation and support to Simone Biles, the American gymnast and five-time Olympic gold medalist who has made the headlines by withdrawing from action at the Tokyo Games.
Biles, the most successful US gymnast of all time, said she had to focus on her mental health after pulling out of Tuesday’s women’s team final. While this has prompted debate in some quarters, the 24-year-old has largely been praised for prioritising her wellbeing when under huge pressure.
Speaking after a below-par performance on Tuesday, the American told reporters in Japan: “After the performance I did, I just didn’t want to go on. I have to focus on my mental health. I just think mental health is more prevalent in sports right now.
“We have to protect our minds and our bodies and not just go out and do what the world wants us to do. I don’t trust myself as much anymore. Maybe it’s getting older. There were a couple of days when everybody tweets you and you feel the weight of the world. We’re not just athletes. We’re people at the end of the day and sometimes you just have to step back.”
Biles’s decision has been backed by USA gymnastics and is being described as a game-changing moment in sport, with a high-profile athlete taking such a bold decision to withdraw.
United talisman Pogba knows exactly how it feels to perform under pressure on the biggest stages and, using his official Twitter account, the Frenchman has reached out to the American athlete.
“A moment of undeniable strength from @simone_biles,” writes Paul. “We always focus on the physical aspect of health but the mental aspect is just as important. When you take care of both, you will flourish in life!”
