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After pulling out of the competition last week to focus on her mental health, US Gymnast Simon Biles made a terrific comeback at the Games like the true legend she is. Biles delivered a spectacular performance on Tuesday(Aug 3) at the Beam Balance finals to take home the bronze that she describes as being “much sweeter” than the one from Rio.
The athlete had a more overwhelming moment when she listened to a promo narrated by pop star Taylor Swift where she lauds Biles for being a ‘Hero’.
The tribute captures footage from Biles’ performance on the balance beam which won her the bronze as Swift’s track, ‘This Is Me Trying‘ plays in the backdrop. “Throughout the last week, her voice has been as significant as her talents, her honesty as beautiful as the perfection that had long been her signature,” Swift concludes in the promo. “But don’t you see? It still is. She’s perfectly human, and that’s what makes it so easy to call her a hero. Simone Biles, back on the beam in Tokyo.”
Biles was reduced to tears after she watched the promo and tweeted back a heartfelt response to the singer for her words of encouragement. “I’m crying. how special. I love you @taylorswift13.”
Simone Biles had pulled out of the games last week stating that she had to” focus on my mental health. I just think mental health is more prevalent in sports right now.” “We have to protect our minds and our bodies and not just go out and do what the world wants us to do,” she adds. The gymnast has been hailed for putting the focus on the intense amount of pressure that athletes deal with for an event of such magnitude. Her team members have stood by her decision and have offered their support to help her through these times. Celebrities and fans across the world have also been extending their words of strength and encouragement to the athlete.
“Right now I’m going to focus on myself a little bit more often rather than push stuff under the rug. It’s been a long five years. I was just happy to be able to perform regardless of the outcome. I did it for me and I was just proud of myself for being able to compete one more time.” she says about her win.
-Ankitha