Simone Biles, a superstar gymnast, has been at the center of online discussions during the 2024 Paris Olympics for several reasons. She missed the opening ceremony, experienced a leg injury, and faced public criticism for her hair.
The opening ceremony took place on July 26, with athletes parading on Paris’ River Seine. However, Simone Biles and other members of the U.S.A. gymnastics team were not present.
Simone’s mother, Nellie Biles, explained that Simone needed to rest before the women’s qualifier competition scheduled for Sunday, July 28.
During the Artistic Gymnastics Women’s Qualification on July 28, Simone had to sit out temporarily with team doctor Marcia Faustin due to a leg issue.
She returned to the competition with medical tape on her left leg after tweaking her calf during a warmup. Despite this setback, Simone continued to compete, showcasing her determination and resilience.
After the injury, Simone faced online criticism. Some people accused her of using the injury as an excuse, suggesting she was pretending to be hurt to get attention and avoid competing due to nerves. Comments like, “Smart. This time, if she wants to quit, she can blame injury instead of nerves,” and “The Drama Queen.
Pretends to get hurt and then wins in order to get all the attention and steal the spotlight,” exemplified the negative feedback she received.
Despite this criticism, many others supported her perseverance. One admirer praised her with a gif from the Oscars, saying, “BRAVO!!!!” Another observer noted, “She hurt her foot or ankle… someone needs to ask her about it.”
Simone’s hair also became a topic of discussion. Some people on social media criticized her hairdo, with comments like, “She’s awesome 👏 but can someone fix her hair for her, please?” and suggestions for a more styled look.
Despite the mixed reactions, Simone Biles continued to demonstrate her incredible skills and determination at the Olympics. She remained focused on her performance, even while dealing with public scrutiny and physical challenges.
