Olympic Gold medallist Simone Biles broke down in tears on the Today Show in an emotional interview where she revealed her inability to do stunts that she's been doing for years. Watch below:
The 24-year-old dropped out of several events at this years Tokyo Olympics due to mental health concerns and she says that she hasn't been able to do stunts that involve twisting in mid-air.
After speaking to host Hoda Kotb, Biles revealed: "To do something that I've done forever and just not be able to do it because of everything I've gone through is really crazy because I love this sport so much.
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"It's hard. I'm sorry.
"And I don't think people understand the magnitude of what I go through, but for so many years to go through everything that I've gone through having a front, I'm proud of myself."
Biles is currently on tour with teammates Jordan Chiles, MyKayla Skinner, Jade Carey, and Grace McCallum.
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However, after suffering from 'the twisties' - term used in the sport to describe a type of mental block - she says that she's finding it difficult to watch fellow gymnasts perform the following stunts
She added: "[It] weighs so heavy and I watch the girls do it, and it's just not the same.
"And I'm happy I can be a leader for the survivors and bring courage to everybody speaking up, so I'm happy to be a voice for them.
"But we go trough our own things. It's hard.
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"The twisting once I got back will come back, but I'm still scared of gymnastics.
"It does kind of suck because I worked really, really hard for that, and it's just hard."
Biles also alluded to former doctor and convicted sex offender, Larry Nassar, who sexually assaulted her and other athletes.
In 2018, Nassar, 58, was sentenced to 40 to 175 years in prison for multiple sex crimes.
The athlete went on to say: "And as soon as we stepped onto the Olympic scene, it just decided it couldn't do it anymore and it cracked, and that's what happens.
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"And that's why taking care of your mental well-being and mental health is so important, so that something like that doesn't happen.
"And I'm grateful that it wasn't somebody else, and it was me, because I know I'm strong enough and I can get back on my feet and I'm gonna get back on my feet with the right help."
Featured Image Credit: TODAYTopics: Simone Biles