Manchester United midfielder, Paul Pogba has sent a message of support to Simone Biles, a 24-year-old American gymnast who had to withdraw from the ongoing Tokyo Olympic Games to focus on his mental health.
Simone Biles announced her decision to withdraw from the Tokyo Olympics where she was expected to represent the United States of America in the Gymnastics individual all-around title.
Though most followers of the sport were surprised by her sudden decision to quit the games, other athletes in the Tokyo Olympics praised her for her boldness to prioritize her wellbeing over her dreams to feature in the Olympics.
While announcing that Simone Biles would no longer participate in the Tokyo Olympics, a statement from the USA Gymnastics said she withdrew from the sports festival after medical evaluation.
The association pledged to support her and described the 24-year-old gymnast as a courageous spokeswoman and a role model to many.
A statement from the USA Gymnastics read: “After a further medical evaluation, Simone Biles has withdrawn from the final individual all-around competition at the Tokyo Olympic Games, to focus on her mental health.
“We wholeheartedly support Simone’s decision and applaud her bravery in prioritizing her well-being. Her courage shows, yet again, why she is a role model for so many.”
Shortly after the announcement, Paul Pogba took to his Twitter page to show his support for Simone Biles. The French football star acknowledged the strength of the American gymnast. He went on to note that one would flourish if one focuses on both his mental and physical health.
“A moment of undeniable strength from @simone_biles,” Pogba tweeted. “We always focus on the physical aspect of health but the mental aspect is just as important. When you take care of both, you will flourish in life!”
A moment of undeniable strength from @simone_biles. We always focus on the physical aspect of health but the mental aspect is just as important. When you take care of both, you will flourish in life! ❤️🤍💙#SimoneBiles GOAT 🐐
— Paul Pogba (@paulpogba) July 28, 2021
Simone Biles made her senior international debut in March at the 2013 American Cup. Since then, she has won the most World medals (25) and most World gold medals (19), having surpassed Vitaly Scherbo’s record 23 World medals by winning her 24th and 25th, both gold, at the 2019 competition in Stuttgart.
She is the female gymnast with the most World all-around titles (5). Biles is the sixth woman to win an individual all-around title at both the World Championships and the Olympics, and the first gymnast since Lilia Podkopayeva in 1996 to hold both titles simultaneously.
She is the tenth female gymnast and first American female gymnast to win a World medal on every event, and the first female gymnast since Daniela Silivaș in 1988 to win a medal on every event at a single Olympic Games or World Championships, having accomplished this feat at the 2018 World Championships in Doha, India.
