Simone Biles’ debut in the Paris Olympics has aroused extensive online discussion for a variety of reasons, including her absence from the opening ceremony, a leg injury, and criticism for her hairstyle. The Paris Olympics have been underway for a few days, and celebrity competitors have already begun to dazzle audiences with their abilities.
Among these talents is Olympic gymnast Simone Biles, who has gone viral for a variety of reasons, including missing the opening ceremony and struggling with a leg injury, making her the name on everyone’s lips. Athletes paraded along Paris’ River Seine on July 26 for the opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympics. However, Simone and a few other members of the United States gymnastics team were glaringly absent.
Nellie Biles, Simone’s mother, detailed the reason during an interview with Today’s Hoda Kotb. She informed us: “The first competition is Sunday, which is women’s qualifier, and, of course, she needs to rest up before that competition.” Simone experienced difficulties during the Artistic Gymnastics Women’s Qualification on July 28, the second day of the Olympics.
Footage from the event showed her sitting on the sidelines with Marcia Faustin, the doctor for the United States Gymnastics team. They vanished shortly, then Simone reappeared with medical tape wrapped around her left leg. According to NBC, she had to wrap her leg after straining her calf during a floor workout warmup. Despite being seen walking with a limp, Simone did not let it show when she started competing.
Her willingness to compete despite her injuries contrasts strongly with her experience three years ago at the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics, when she withdrew from final competitions to safeguard her mental health, prompting a global discourse about the issue. After learning of Simone’s injury, many people rushed to social media to express their feelings, with some insulting her.
One X user commented: “Smart. This time, if she wants to resign, she can claim the injuries rather than nerves.” Another social media user commented, “The Drama Queen.” Pretends to be harmed and then triumphs in order to gain all of the attention and take the spotlight.” Similarly, another said, “Staged.”Despite the criticism, there were also sympathetic comments applauding her perseverance and resilience.
One fan posted a gif from the Oscars with the caption “BRAVO!!!!” and wrote: “Me in my living room at 3AM watching Simone Biles smash her floor routine on a taped-up leg. #OlympicGames.” Despite her leg injuries, Simone accomplished an astonishing feat. Video footage uploaded online shows her performing what is regarded as the “hardest vault in the world,” the Yurchenko double pike, becoming the first woman to do so at the Olympics.
Despite her accomplishments, people were concerned about her health after witnessing her perform with an injured calf. “Oh no, I hope she’s not injured because she’s limping a little,” one YouTube viewer said. Another person mentioned, “She hurt her foot or ankle…” Someone should ask her about it.” Aside from her performance and injuries, some people concentrated on her appearance, notably her hair. An Instagram user said, “She’s awesome, but could someone please fix her hair for her?!”
An X user added: “@Simone_Biles, can we get a hair braid or something?” and ended the comment with an I-can’t-look face emoji. One especially strong comment read, “#SimoneBiles should have had a #FBA Beautician do her hair in a ballerina style updo/bun, or a sleek ponytail, before she left for the #OlympicGames.”Despite the various comments, Simone Biles’ performance at the Paris Olympics demonstrates her incredible tenacity and dedication. Her ability to reach an unprecedented milestone despite a physical setback demonstrates her remarkable talent and determination, cementing her legacy as a legendary gymnast.