Skip to main content

Jordan Chiles Defends 'Ride or Die' Simone Biles After Olympics Exit

Stronger together. Team USA gymnast Jordan Chiles assured fans Simone Biles is “not a quitter” despite her exit from the Tokyo Olympics.

Going for Gold! See Team USA's Medals From the Tokyo Olympics Read article

“I was there for her, I supported her, I did try to tell her, ‘Look, you know how to do everything, this is you, this is your moment, it’s all up to you,” the 20-year-old silver medalist told Today‘s Hoda Kotb and Savannah Guthrie on Wednesday, July 28, as news broke that the 24-year-old World Champion would no longer perform in the upcoming individual all-around competition.

Chiles “really can’t say” what exactly prompted the Dancing With the Stars alum to pull out of the team final on Tuesday, July 27, she noted. “She has to tell her own story, but all I know is I’m going to support her no matter what. I am her teammate, I am her best friend, like she said. This is the moment that I think that I truly realize that I’ve gotten so much closer to her than I really thought. She’s my ride or die. I will forever be by her side.”

The Oregon native and the Courage to Soar author have a special bond. In 2018, Chiles considered leaving the gymnastics world completely, feeling disillusioned after a tough year of competitions. Biles later encouraged her to move to Spring, Texas, and train alongside her at the World Champions Centre — and everything changed.

On Tuesday, July 27, Chiles stepped up to the plate after the six-time Olympic medalist dropped out of the team final. The decision shocked viewers around the world, and as Team USA finished in second place, Biles clarified that she chose to give herself a break from the pressure.

“Physically, I feel good, I’m in shape,” she told reporters on Tuesday. “Emotionally, that kind of varies on the time and moment. Coming here to the Olympics and being the head star isn’t an easy feat, so we’re just trying to take it one day at a time and we’ll see.”

Simone Biles Through the Years: Olympics, ‘DWTS’ and More Read article

USA Gymnastics confirmed one day later that Biles would not participate in the individual all-around competition on Thursday, July 29, “in order to focus on her mental health.” Jade Carey, who did not initially qualify for the all-around meet, is set to take the GOAT’s place.

Biles has yet to announce whether she’ll return for the event finals, but through all the ups and downs, her teammates will continue to have her back.

“Whatever she puts her mind to [she can achieve],” Chiles told Today. “She’s Simone for a reason. She’s not a quitter. You will never see Simone just go out there and not do what she knows she can do. … I did have to fill some humongous shoes out there, but I did it for a reason. I did it for her. She was with us the whole time.”

Since deciding to prioritize her mental health, Biles has received supportive messages from fellow athletes, including Michael Phelps and Aly Raisman. Former first lady Michelle Obama, Kerry Washington and Andy Cohen are among other celebrities to send their love to Tokyo as Biles considers her next step.

Biggest Olympics Scandals Ever: Nancy Kerrigan's Attack and More Read article

Though she’s faced her fair share of backlash, with some viewers believing she walked out on her team, Biles posted an expert’s perspective to her Instagram Story on Wednesday. Former NCAA coach Andrea Orris noted that “career-ending” or “life-threatening injuries” could have occurred had the athlete continued to compete in her vulnerable mental state.

“The fact that she took herself out of the competition on her own merit means that whatever she is dealing with internally has to be insurmountable and should be taken seriously,” Orris wrote. “Despite what she’s able/choosing to articulate to the public in interviews, we will never know or fully understand her personal choices and struggles. She deserves respect. She deserves compassion. She does not deserve to have any judgement passed – number 1, because she’s a human. And number 2, after all she’s done for the sport.”



from Celebrity News – Us Weekly https://ift.tt/3lbMTND
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Musician Sophie Dead at Age 34 After 'Sudden Accident'

SOPHIE, a Scottish musician, DJ and record producer, has died at age 34. Stars We’ve Lost in 2021 Read article The multihyphenate’s team confirmed the news in a statement on Saturday, January 30, revealing that her death was unexpected. “It is with profound sadness that I have to inform you that musician and producer SOPHIE passed away this morning around 4 a.m. in Athens, where the artist had been living, following a sudden accident,” SOPHIE’s team said in a statement to The Independent . “At this time respect and privacy for the family is our priority. We would also ask for respect for her fanbase, and to treat the private nature of this news with sensitivity.” Celebrity LGBTQ Allies Read article The statement went on to tout SOPHIE’s many accolades in electronic pop music: “SOPHIE was a pioneer of new sound, one of the most influential artists in the last decade. Not only for ingenious production and creativity but also for the message and visibility that was achieved. An ico
Post a Comment
Read more

Pink Helps Husband Carey Hart Recover After Spinal Surgery

Carey Hart and Pink. Rob Latour/Shutterstock Hello nurse! Carey Hart is recovering from spinal surgery with lots of help from his wife, Pink — and he couldn’t be more thankful. Pink and Carey Hart's Relationship Timeline Read article The motocross star , 46, underwent lower spine disc replacement surgery on Thursday, September 23, and let fans know that the procedure was a “success” hours after he got out of the operating room. “One down and one to go,” he wrote on Instagram , adding that he was “up and out of bed and walking, just a few hours post-surgery.” By the next morning, he was already heading home. While still in the hospital on Friday, September 24, he posted a video of himself in his post-op gown taking a stroll around the building. “Been up five times since this,” he bragged. “Can’t wait to come back stronger than ever, and kick ass on my dirt bike in 2022.” While he thanked the staff at DISC Sports & Spine Center in Newport Beach, California, he gave the
Post a Comment
Read more

Baseball Legend Hank Aaron and More Stars We’ve Lost in 2021

It’s never easy to say goodbye. Scroll down to see Us Weekly ‘s tribute to the celebrities who died in 2021. Angie Jakusz The Survivor alum died in New Orleans following a long battle with cancer on January 8. She was 40. “Angie was an incredibly passionate person with an extraordinary lust for life,” her loved ones wrote in an obituary published via Nola.com. “Whether she was sewing, painting, drawing, doing nail art or makeup, costuming, reading, snorkeling, scuba diving, traveling or just raising hell, she did it lovingly and with laser precision. She was a founding member of the New Orleans Noise Coalition and had been a contestant on season 10 of Survivor.” Monty Brinton/CBS Joanne Rogers The musician, the widow of Fred Rogers , died in Pittsburgh on January 14. She was 92. No cause of death was given at the time. "Fred Rogers Productions is deeply saddened by the passing of Joanne Rogers. The loving partner of Fred Rogers for more than 50 years, she continued their
Post a Comment
Read more