“We all have a huge respect and a huge support for Simone”

After Simone Biles, the best gymnast in the world, pulled out of the Olympic Games in the gymnastics finals, she brought talk of mental health to the forefront, saying that it is more important than sports.

Biles originally dropped out of the team event on Tuesday, and then later announced she would not participate in Thursday’s individual all-around competition either. Jade Carey is set to take her place on Thursday.

Mental health a big issue and IOC is working to improve methods of support

According to IOC spokesperson Mark Adams, athlete mental health has been an issue for a long time, with the covid-19 pandemic highlighting the importance of addressing it even more.

USA Gymnastics and the IOC support Simone Biles and her decision and applaud her for putting her well-being before all else. Adams says that the IOC has been working on more ways to improve the tools available to athletes to aid with mental health issues. At present, there is a group of psychologists, a help line in 70 languages. Adams says he hopes they are doing enough, but that they can always do more, and they support all the athletes in this.