Dominique Moceanu understands what it feels like to be under the immense pressure of the Olympic stage as a member of the U.S. gymnastics team — and the 1996 gold medalist is supportingSimone Bilesafter the current gymnastwithdrew from the teamandall-around eventsinTokyofor her mental health.
At the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, Moceanu had to push through a tibial stress fracture during the gymnastics team competition, which led her to fall directly on her head as she did her balance beam routine.
“I was 14 y/o w/ a tibial stress fracture, left alone w/ no cervical spine exam after this fall. I competed in the Olympic floor final minutes later,” the former gymnast, now 39, posted on Twitter.
Dominique Moceanu; Simone Biles.Chip Somodevilla/Getty; LOIC VENANCE/AFP via Getty
Moceanu went on toapplaud Biles for prioritizing her mental healthand taking herself out of the competition.
“@Simone_Biles 🤍 decision demonstrates that we have a say in our own health — ‘a say’ I NEVER felt I had as an Olympian.”
“I’m certain you noticed the sharp contrast between Marta’s [the disgraced former coach Marta Karoyli] reaction to her athlete (me) and Cecile’s [current Team USA coach Canqueteau-Landi] reaction to her athlete (Simone),” Moceanu replied.
Moceanu further clarified why it was so important for Biles to listen to her body and step back from competition, noting the possibility of serious injury. “In our sport, we essentially dive into a pool w/ no water,” she tweeted. “When you lose your ability to find the ground—which appears to be part of@Simone_Bilesdecision—-the consequences can be catastrophic.”
And Phelps, the most decorated Olympian in history, emphasized that “the Olympics is overwhelming,” and when people like him and Biles are put up as the face of Team USA it feels like they have “the weight of the world” on their shoulders.
Biles exited the team competition on Tuesday, and U.S.A. Gymnastics announced Wednesday that she will not participate in the individual all-around competition.
To learn more about Team USA, visitTeamUSA.org. Watch the Tokyo Olympics now on NBC.
source: people.com
