Simone Biles Reveals What Really Happened to Her Calf During the Olympics: ‘My Body Is Like a Ticking Time Bomb’
Simone Biles, widely considered one of the greatest gymnasts of all time, has finally opened up about a critical moment during the Tokyo 2020 Olympics that many fans didn’t fully understand—the injury to her calf. In a candid interview, Biles detailed how the physical strain her body endured over the years contributed to the injury that left her sidelined during much of the competition. “My body is like a ticking time bomb,” Biles said, highlighting the toll that elite gymnastics had taken on her body.
The Calf Injury: A Shocking Setback
At the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Biles shocked the world when she withdrew from several events, citing mental health reasons and a condition known as the “twisties,” a dangerous phenomenon in gymnastics where athletes lose control of their spatial awareness mid-air. However, Biles has now revealed that there was also a physical component that added to her withdrawal—a calf injury that left her unable to compete at her usual peak.
During one of her training sessions, Biles felt an unexpected sharp pain in her calf, a signal that her body was reaching its breaking point. “The muscles in my legs have taken years of stress, and suddenly I just felt this tear,” she recalled. Despite trying to push through the pain, Biles knew something was wrong, and the pain lingered throughout the Games. “It was like my body was screaming at me to stop, but my mind wanted to keep going.”
‘Ticking Time Bomb’
Biles explained that over her years of competing at the highest level, she has experienced multiple injuries, but her incredible resilience and determination allowed her to push through. “I’ve had my fair share of injuries—ankles, wrists, you name it,” she said. “But this was different. My body just felt like it could give out at any moment.”
She described feeling like her body was betraying her, and that, combined with the mental pressure she was under, led to her decision to step back. “I had to listen to my body, but it’s hard when you’re trained to push past pain. My body is like a ticking time bomb. You just don’t know when it’s going to give out.”
A New Approach to Health
Since the Olympics, Biles has taken a more holistic approach to her health, both mentally and physically. “I’ve learned to take care of my body in a way I didn’t before,” she explained. She now emphasizes recovery, therapy, and setting limits that weren’t part of her routine in the early years of her career.
Biles’ decision to withdraw from events at the Tokyo Olympics was initially met with mixed reactions, but as she reveals more about her physical and mental struggles, there’s a deeper appreciation for the challenges she faced. “I used to think I had to be superhuman,” Biles said. “But now I know it’s okay to step back when your body or mind says enough is enough.”
Looking to the Future
Despite the setbacks, Biles remains optimistic about the future of her career. “I’m still passionate about gymnastics, but I also know that my health comes first.” Whether she returns for another Olympic run or chooses to focus on other endeavors, her legacy as a trailblazer, not just in athletics but in advocating for athlete wellness, is already cemented.
Simone Biles’ transparency about the injury to her calf and her body’s limits offers valuable insight into the pressures athletes face behind the scenes. As she continues to recover and prioritize her well-being, Biles has once again shown why she is a role model not just for her talent, but for her strength and courage in facing adversity.
