I think this is really powerful. An awesome gymnast just told everyone - especially young women who look up to her - that trusting your body if something feels wrong and that preserving your mental wellbeing is more important than competition/possibly winning.

Yeah it must be a really hard decision. All the time and commitment put in to get to that one moment. I don't know which parts harder all the pressure and expectations put on to just a few moments you need to get perfected, the expectation of your team, country (and probably world). Not really a surprise the pressure can get to her, and also if you not feeling or concentrating 100%, in most sports you might concede a goal, or not get a top time. In gymnastics 1 mistake could end up in a massive (possibly life changing) injury

She definitely made the right decision. I’m sure it would’ve been difficult for her to even focus and give it her all when she had so much anxiety and felt so much pressure. Good for her, and I hope you always put yourself first, Kara. Your mental health is far more important than any game.

I’m confused about this Simone thing though, because I had also heard she dropped out because she wasn’t going to be scored for her most difficult maneuvers(for lack of a better word that escapes me) so she would be on a more level playing field with the others because they didn’t want anyone to get injured. Is anyone else hearing that story?

She has decided to compete again. She will be doing the Beam.

From the way she talked about it the pressure got to her and she had a giant brain fart. It happens to all of us but in her case it was amplified.

Also lets not forget Naomi Osaka

thecut.com/2021/06/naomi-osaka…h-open-mental-health.html

She’s a superhero!