Simone Biles - The African Mirror

Sep

2021

Gymnasts Biles, Maroney demand justice in botched FBI sex abuse probe

SARAH N LYNCH OLYMPIC gymnast McKayla Maroney on Wednesday told U.S. lawmakers she feels betrayed by FBI agents, after they failed to investigate former USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar, despite her telling them he had sexually abused her. FBI Director Chris Wray told the Senate panel that the actions of the agents who botched the investigation are inexcusable, and he announced that one of the agents "no longer works for the bureau in any capacity." "I'm deeply and profoundly sorry," Wray said. Maroney is one of four athletes, along with Simone Biles, Aly Raisman and Maggie Nichols, who testified to…

Aug

2021

By The African Mirror

Olympics-Biles retakes spotlight as world records fall, IOC probes Belarus

SPORT

STEVE KEATING and MITCH PHILLIPS SIMONE Biles retook the gymnastics stage on Tuesday after a week's absence, electrifying the Tokyo Olympics on a day that saw world records smashed and organisers probe Belarus's treatment of an athlete now in diplomatic protection. The return of the American, considered by many the greatest gymnast ever, ensured a blockbuster finale for the sport at the Ariake Gymnastics Centre as Biles scored 14.000 on the balance beam to take the bronze. She had abruptly dropped out of the team event earlier in the Games citing mental health issues and increasing the global spotlight on…

Jul

2021

By The African Mirror

Gymnastics-Biles spells out struggles, no clear word on further participation

SPORT

ELAINE LIES and GABRIELLE TETRAULT-FARBER STAR U.S. gymnast Simone Biles on Friday spelled out her struggles to perform, days after pulling out of the team and women's all-around competitions in Tokyo, but shed no clear light on whether she would take part in further individual events. Biles shocked the world on Tuesday when she did one vault at the start of the women's team final and then pulled out, later saying she had lost her way in the air. The U.S. team subsequently won silver. "It's honestly petrifying trying to do a skill but not having your mind & body…

Jul

2021

By The African Mirror

Olympics-Biles out of next event, mental health in Games spotlight

SPORT

DAVID DOLAN, ELAINE LIES and MARTIN PETTY SIMONE Biles withdrew from the individual all-around competition at the Tokyo Olympics on Wednesday, a day after she shocked the world by pulling out of the team event. Olympians past and present flooded the U.S. gymnast with messages of support as the mental health of athletes -- and the extra pressures brought by the COVID-19 pandemic -- were in sharp focus at the Games. "The advice I would give is to reach out, to colleagues and friends," said Sebastian Coe, president of World Athletics. "Don't be afraid to show vulnerability, it's a badge…

Jul

2021

By The African Mirror

Olympics-Gymnastics-Biles says gymnastics not everything, ‘we also have to focus on ourselves’

SPORT

ELAINE LIES and GABRIELLE TETRAULT-FARBER IN the end, Simone Biles decided to pull out of the Tokyo 2020 team gymnastics finals because things just did not feel right after her vault, saying mental health is more important than sports. Biles, who wrote on her Instagram just a day before about feeling the weight of the world on her shoulders, decided that rather than risk injury - and a medal for the rest of the team - she needed to just stop. "It's like fighting all those demons and coming out here. I have to put my pride aside. I have…

Jul

2021

By The African Mirror

Biles out of team event in Tokyo as Osaka exits Games

SPORT

STEVE KEATING and ROZANNA LATIF U.S. gymnast Simone Biles dropped out of the women's team event after a single vault at the Tokyo Games on Tuesday while tennis superstar Naomi Osaka exited only days after lighting the Olympic flame. The International Gymnastics Federation said Biles would play no further part in the team event, but said she would still receive a medal if the heavily favoured U.S. ended up on the podium. "Simone has withdrawn from the team final competition due to a medical issue," said USA Gymnastics. "She will be assessed daily to determine medical clearance for future competitions."…