Simone Biles Rising: The biggest revelations from Netflix documentary

Simone Biles is the most decorated gymnast in World Championships history winning 30 medals (Image: Getty Images)

Simone Biles, the most decorated gymnast in history, shocked the sporting world when she dramatically withdrew from the Tokyo Olympics four years ago. A new four-part Netflix documentary series delves into the events leading up to her withdrawal and highlights the toxic environment female gymnasts endure.

Biles' decision to step back was due to her struggle with 'twisties', a condition that causes gymnasts to lose track of their position mid-air, making safe landings a struggle. The documentary features a former athlete who emphasises that continuing to compete while suffering from this mental block could be fatal.

Despite the potential danger, Biles faced severe criticism for prioritising her mental health over competition, an issue explored in the series. The first two episodes were released on Netflix today (July 17), ahead of Biles' anticipated return at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Next week, she will start her campaign in the women's qualifiers, aiming to secure another gold medal for Team USA.

function loadOvpScript(){let el=document.createElement('script');el.setAttribute('src','https://live.primis.tech/live/liveView.php?s=114945&playerApiId=v114945');document.getElementById('ovp-primis').appendChild(el)} window.top.addEventListener('primisPlayerInit',e=>{try{if(e.detail&&e.detail.playerApiId==="v114945"){if(window.document.getElementsByClassName('jwplayer')[0]){e.detail.float('disable')}}}catch(e){}});window.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded',()=>{setTimeout(()=>{if(typeof flagTcfLoaded!=='undefined'&&flagTcfLoaded===!0){loadOvpScript() ExpressApp.Log('[Load] OVP flagTcfLoaded',new Date())}else{document.addEventListener("tcfLoaded",()=>{loadOvpScript() ExpressApp.Log('[Load] OVP tcfLoaded',new Date())})}},1500)})

Simone Biles with husband Jonathan Owens, who also features in the docuseries (Image: Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

In a poignant scene from the first episode, Biles reveals the outfits she was supposed to wear in the tournaments she pulled out of. It's evident that even touching the fabric triggers uncomfortable memories as she quickly puts the glittering leotard back in the wardrobe, reports the Mirror.

Unsurprisingly, mental wellbeing is a recurrent theme, bearing in mind the significant role it played in Biles' decision to withdraw from the Olympics. The athlete divulges that perspectives on mental and physical health are now "more at the forefront" of the sport than ever, although she highlights that this still doesn't rank as a top priority.

Kerri Strug comparison

The documentary also casts a spotlight on how historically, attitudes towards recovery have been distorted, with athletes put under pressure to continue competing even when injured. The case of Kerri Strug, who gamely competed despite injuring her ankle in 1996, was prominently mentioned during the discourse following Biles' Olympic withdrawal.

The documentary reveals the impact this comparison made on Biles. "Maybe if my ankle was fractured, yeah, I would've still done it," Biles shares, responding to the comparison. "But that wasn't the case."

She follows this up saying: "Where I was, mentally and physically, it could've potentially been more than an ankle or something. It could've been worse."

Larry Nassar abuse

Larry Nassar was a former team doctor for USA Gymnastics (Image: Getty Images)

Notorious USA Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar took advantage of his position to exploit young gymnasts. Currently, he's serving a prison sentence of up to 175 years for numerous sexual assault convictions and other charges related to child sex abuse images.

Gymnastics superstar Simone Biles has opened up in a documentary about the abuse she endured from Nassar, suggesting that her battle with the 'twisties' was a result of trauma.

"Everything that has happened I've just like, 'I'll push it down, shove it down, wait until my career's done, go fix it," she reveals. "Then something like this happens, and unfortunately, to me, it happened at the Olympics. It's a trauma response."

window.topArticlesScript="https://cdn.images.express.co.uk/js/dist/article-top-articles20240709.min.js"

"Your mind and your body is the first one to say, 'actually, no'. You just never know how you'll react when you start actually talking about that and trying to start the healing process... you can only shove stuff down for so long."

Beauty standards

The celebrated athlete also touches on the intense scrutiny over her appearance, recalling hurtful remarks such as her hair looking 'crunchy'. "People are way too comfortable commenting things.... I think the beauty standard, everything, is just too much," Biles expresses.

Addressing the issue of racial diversity in gymnastics, Biles shares her experience of often being "the only Black girl on the team", acknowledging the lack of Black Olympic gymnasts as role models.

Tattoo SUBSCRIBE Invalid email

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy

In a personal nod to resilience, Biles sports a tattoo on her collarbone that reads 'And still I rise', inspired by Maya Angelou's poem, which resonated deeply with her.

She explained:"Before I got this tattoo, it was a saying that I loved - obviously, Maya Angelou - and I was like, 'And still I rise is perfect' because I feel like that's kind of the epitome of my career and my life story," she explained. "Because I always rise to the occasion and after all of the traumas and downfalls, I’ve always risen."

Part one of Simone Biles Rising is now streaming on Netflix. A release date is yet to be confirmed for the concluding two episodes.

Simone Biles Rising: The biggest revelations from Netflix documentary

Simone Biles Rising: The biggest revelations from Netflix documentary

Simone Biles Rising: The biggest revelations from Netflix documentary

Simone Biles Rising: The biggest revelations from Netflix documentary

Simone Biles Rising: The biggest revelations from Netflix documentary