Simone and Team USA Win Silver 

Simone Biles has constantly been put on a pedestal by USA Gymnastics, the country, and even the world. The moment has forced everyone to reflect on how we treat our athletes and the mental strain that is put on them by all of us. Simone reminded us that she is human and gave some statements after she decided to drop out.

"I've just never felt like this going into a competition before. I tried to go out here and have fun ... but once I came out here, I was like, 'no, mental is not there, so I just need to let the girls do it and focus on myself.'"

Biles made an extremely difficult and admirably bold decision by pulling out of the competition. She was feeling the burden for quite some time, but she made her decision to pull out after a missed landing on a vault that she normally would stick perfectly.

"I didn't want to go into any of the other events second-guessing myself. So, I thought it would be better if I took a step back and let these girls go out there and do their job."

This decision to step out of the team finals has now been followed by her decision to pull out of the individual competition as well. Simone is set to be in a couple more events and this second decision is leading people to believe that she will not participate in those either.

Simone is a star athlete that qualified for almost all of the gymnastic events. Her stepping out now leads to Jade Carey stepping up for the all-around individual event and we will most likely see others rise to the occasion for the remaining events.

Retired Gymnasts Give Support

Former Olympians and teammates have been speaking out in support of Simone's original decision to step out of the team finals and we are seeing a flood of support on social media in general for the star. This support has largely been from the public, however athletes and celebrities have also been very outspoken about Simone's greatness, the importance of her mental health, and the mental toll that athletes face.

Celebrities Speak Out on Mental Health and Simone's Decision

The support from major figures has resonated with people greatly and the public is overwhelmingly in support of Simone online. Simone has become a role model in many different ways after these Tokyo Games and seeing major athletes, sports commentators, and celebrities speak out is opening up the conversation about mental health in sports.

We have seen countless Olympic athletes and athletes in general struggle with mental health before, during, and after their careers. The conversation is one that should have been occurring awhile ago, but Simone's bold decision seems to be the thing that finally brings the attention that the topic deserves.

There are some celebrities and members of the public however that continue to criticize the star over her decision, calling her weak and saying that she let her teammates down.

Some Celebrities Remain Unsupportive

These unsupportive comments remain the minority opinion, but they do have an impact as they negatively affect the conversation about mental health and the sports world in general.

Simone Biles is the greatest of all-time in her sport and stepping out of the spotlight was a powerful conversation-starter for the entire world. We wish all the best to Simone in the probable last competition of her career and we wholeheartedly support her decision to step out and put her mental and physical health above other's expectations.

We love you Simone and all of the women on the USA Gymnastics Team! Go for gold and keep your physical and mental health above all else!