Biles out

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you feel like criticizing Simone Biles, please refer to this decision tree from McSweeney's:

https://www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/are-you-allowed-to-criticize-simone-biles-a-decision-tree

JFC why does it always come down to skin color?

+1. Also, no one is above criticism. It’s part of life, especially if you willingly put yourself in the public sphere. Just because you are famous or rich or powerful or athletic, it doesn’t make you better than other people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you feel like criticizing Simone Biles, please refer to this decision tree from McSweeney's:

https://www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/are-you-allowed-to-criticize-simone-biles-a-decision-tree

Stupid. If want to monetize on and promote yourself and make money off your talent on a world wide scale, then you have to be able to withstand the criticism, and your actions are fair game for criticism (and praise) at this level.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Haven’t read this whole thread so I think this is a somewhat different take - but I have ZERO problem with what Simone Biles did. I DO have a problem with the way it’s being covered, however. Pulling out of a dangerous competition at the last minute, potentially leaving teammates who are counting on you in the lurch is surely a very difficult, but very rational and understandable decision. It is certainly not villainous or selfish; neither is it brave or courageous. It is just an unfortunate and crappy situation that all the gymnasts handled to the best of their ability.

WHY do we have to resort to this childish, binary, black-or-white, good-or-bad, cowardly-or-brave narrative for EVERYTHING these days? It’s ridiculous.

She’s not selfish, she’s not bad, but she’s also no hero.

Of course it's a brave and courageous thing to do because: 1) mental health issues aren't accepted as medical issues in much of America and 2) people are mean and criticize anyone who shows a bit of weakness. The fact that people like you are complaining she "left her teammates in the lurch" is ridiculous--she didn't compete because she didn't feel healthy to do so.

Okay - I guess we just fundamentally disagree. I am old school and still believe that words have meaning. You are apparently from a younger generation for whom any decision anyone ever makes about anything ever is “brave” or “courageous” because they’re taking care of themselves or living their truth or some other such nonsense.

You also can’t seem to read, like most younger folks in America. At no point did I criticize Simone Biles for leaving her teammates in the lurch, but objectively that is exactly what she did. The fact that she had perfectly good and valid reasons for doing so doesn’t change that fact. They came through admirably and should be commended, and she made the best choice she had available to her at the time (withdrawing) which is certainly commendable in itself but NOT courageous. FFS, people.

So agree. This is the millennial generation, lionizing something that was nothing more than an unfortunate situation.

+1. I don’t think she should have continued, but I do fear for a generation who are being taught that letting your teammates down makes you a hero.

She gave up her chance for her teammates. Her first vault was a disaster. It was scored 13.7. If she had continued and been scored like that,Ed, they would never have medaled at all. Biles stepped back and they fought their way to silver. Biles gave up her spot for the sake of the team as well as herself. She is a class act.

Withdrawing before the team competition started and allowing a team mate to compete in her place would have been classier. They had at least one gymnast that didn’t compete who could have scored better than the three that were left in some of the remaining events.

I read a defense of her actions which went on at length about how she really wasn’t herself at the Olympic Trials, and had been “off” the entire time she’s been in Tokyo. That doesn’t help her case — it means she knew she had issues and decided to risk her team’s chances and possibly leave her teammates in the lurch.

Again, I’m not saying she should have continued, but she’s not a hero.

She.Didn't.Know.This.Was.Going.To.Happen. She's won 18 world championships and 4 gold medal and this is the first performance issue she's had. It's easy for you to play Monday morning quarterback from the safety of your couch.

Damn....say it louder for the bit$#@tchea in the back! How are all these folks not getting this? Maybe she thought she would be fine,, Maybe she thought she could push through and then she realized she couldn't! I mean what more is there to say? She's not risking her life for the team. Half of yall wouldn't visit your sick grandma during covid but you all want Simone to risk her life for the team? For American? For entertainment?

Show me a single poster saying she should have competed even if it wasn’t safe. Also, if you visited your sick grandma during covid, you were disobeying CDC guidelines and putting others’ lives at risk - very selfish of you.

Move on already. Her teammates have seemed to do so without the hysterical drama of the couch potato fans.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So she dropped out. She was overworked, stressed, and couldn’t handle the pressure of competing at this level for such a prolonged time. Yes she should have recognized when “enough” was enough and not gone for another Olympic run. Stop blaming U.S. gymnastics, coaches, psychologists, etc. for somehow failing her. That doesn’t seem to be the case here. It isn’t anyone’s fault she cracked. She just aimed too far and got too ambitious for what she was capable of handling, that’s all. She is human. Too bad she didn’t see the writing on the wall earlier, but that was the way the cookie crumbled. She didn’t purposely sabotage the team or think she would not be able to ride to the occasion

Read the Washington Post article written by Sally Jenkins on July 29th and tell us that US Gymnastics didn’t fail her. It’s is absolutely disgusting how they handled Nassar and his victims and continue to do so to this day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So she dropped out. She was overworked, stressed, and couldn’t handle the pressure of competing at this level for such a prolonged time. Yes she should have recognized when “enough” was enough and not gone for another Olympic run. Stop blaming U.S. gymnastics, coaches, psychologists, etc. for somehow failing her. That doesn’t seem to be the case here. It isn’t anyone’s fault she cracked. She just aimed too far and got too ambitious for what she was capable of handling, that’s all. She is human. Too bad she didn’t see the writing on the wall earlier, but that was the way the cookie crumbled. She didn’t purposely sabotage the team or think she would not be able to ride to the occasion

Read the Washington Post article written by Sally Jenkins on July 29th and tell us that US Gymnastics didn’t fail her. It’s is absolutely disgusting how they handled Nassar and his victims and continue to do so to this day.

Yeah I wouldn't discount the trauma from this, on top of everything else. Also, she was pretty injured at Trials and I wondered at the time why on earth she was competing. Was it really necessary for her to prove her "readiness" at that point given her previous performances at Nationals? Tom Forrester has a history of not looking favorably on medical petitions to the Olympic team but I wonder if her coaches asked.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you feel like criticizing Simone Biles, please refer to this decision tree from McSweeney's:

https://www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/are-you-allowed-to-criticize-simone-biles-a-decision-tree

Stupid. If want to monetize on and promote yourself and make money off your talent on a world wide scale, then you have to be able to withstand the criticism, and your actions are fair game for criticism (and praise) at this level.

She couldn't handle the heat, so she got out of the kitchen. Her choice, but expect me to admire her for it. Mental toughness and overcoming adversity to reach greatness is one of the things that separate champions from participants.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:She looked miserable in the stands last night. Her eyes look spacey, her face seems sad or expressionless, and she was barely doing a polite golf clap.

I bet she checks into a facility for “exhaustion” when she returns.

She seemed frazzled at trials too

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Haven’t read this whole thread so I think this is a somewhat different take - but I have ZERO problem with what Simone Biles did. I DO have a problem with the way it’s being covered, however. Pulling out of a dangerous competition at the last minute, potentially leaving teammates who are counting on you in the lurch is surely a very difficult, but very rational and understandable decision. It is certainly not villainous or selfish; neither is it brave or courageous. It is just an unfortunate and crappy situation that all the gymnasts handled to the best of their ability.

WHY do we have to resort to this childish, binary, black-or-white, good-or-bad, cowardly-or-brave narrative for EVERYTHING these days? It’s ridiculous.

She’s not selfish, she’s not bad, but she’s also no hero.

Of course it's a brave and courageous thing to do because: 1) mental health issues aren't accepted as medical issues in much of America and 2) people are mean and criticize anyone who shows a bit of weakness. The fact that people like you are complaining she "left her teammates in the lurch" is ridiculous--she didn't compete because she didn't feel healthy to do so.

Okay - I guess we just fundamentally disagree. I am old school and still believe that words have meaning. You are apparently from a younger generation for whom any decision anyone ever makes about anything ever is “brave” or “courageous” because they’re taking care of themselves or living their truth or some other such nonsense.

You also can’t seem to read, like most younger folks in America. At no point did I criticize Simone Biles for leaving her teammates in the lurch, but objectively that is exactly what she did. The fact that she had perfectly good and valid reasons for doing so doesn’t change that fact. They came through admirably and should be commended, and she made the best choice she had available to her at the time (withdrawing) which is certainly commendable in itself but NOT courageous. FFS, people.

So agree. This is the millennial generation, lionizing something that was nothing more than an unfortunate situation.

+1. I don’t think she should have continued, but I do fear for a generation who are being taught that letting your teammates down makes you a hero.

She gave up her chance for her teammates. Her first vault was a disaster. It was scored 13.7. If she had continued and been scored like that,Ed, they would never have medaled at all. Biles stepped back and they fought their way to silver. Biles gave up her spot for the sake of the team as well as herself. She is a class act.

Withdrawing before the team competition started and allowing a team mate to compete in her place would have been classier. They had at least one gymnast that didn’t compete who could have scored better than the three that were left in some of the remaining events.

I read a defense of her actions which went on at length about how she really wasn’t herself at the Olympic Trials, and had been “off” the entire time she’s been in Tokyo. That doesn’t help her case — it means she knew she had issues and decided to risk her team’s chances and possibly leave her teammates in the lurch.

Again, I’m not saying she should have continued, but she’s not a hero.

She.Didn't.Know.This.Was.Going.To.Happen. She's won 18 world championships and 4 gold medal and this is the first performance issue she's had. It's easy for you to play Monday morning quarterback from the safety of your couch.

Damn....say it louder for the bit$#@tchea in the back! How are all these folks not getting this? Maybe she thought she would be fine,, Maybe she thought she could push through and then she realized she couldn't! I mean what more is there to say? She's not risking her life for the team. Half of yall wouldn't visit your sick grandma during covid but you all want Simone to risk her life for the team? For American? For entertainment?

Show me a single poster saying she should have competed even if it wasn’t safe. Also, if you visited your sick grandma during covid, you were disobeying CDC guidelines and putting others’ lives at risk - very selfish of you.

Move on already. Her teammates have seemed to do so without the hysterical drama of the couch potato fans.

Does it make you angry that you can’t control other people? My advice is to learn to accept it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Haven’t read this whole thread so I think this is a somewhat different take - but I have ZERO problem with what Simone Biles did. I DO have a problem with the way it’s being covered, however. Pulling out of a dangerous competition at the last minute, potentially leaving teammates who are counting on you in the lurch is surely a very difficult, but very rational and understandable decision. It is certainly not villainous or selfish; neither is it brave or courageous. It is just an unfortunate and crappy situation that all the gymnasts handled to the best of their ability.

WHY do we have to resort to this childish, binary, black-or-white, good-or-bad, cowardly-or-brave narrative for EVERYTHING these days? It’s ridiculous.

She’s not selfish, she’s not bad, but she’s also no hero.

Of course it's a brave and courageous thing to do because: 1) mental health issues aren't accepted as medical issues in much of America and 2) people are mean and criticize anyone who shows a bit of weakness. The fact that people like you are complaining she "left her teammates in the lurch" is ridiculous--she didn't compete because she didn't feel healthy to do so.

Okay - I guess we just fundamentally disagree. I am old school and still believe that words have meaning. You are apparently from a younger generation for whom any decision anyone ever makes about anything ever is “brave” or “courageous” because they’re taking care of themselves or living their truth or some other such nonsense.

You also can’t seem to read, like most younger folks in America. At no point did I criticize Simone Biles for leaving her teammates in the lurch, but objectively that is exactly what she did. The fact that she had perfectly good and valid reasons for doing so doesn’t change that fact. They came through admirably and should be commended, and she made the best choice she had available to her at the time (withdrawing) which is certainly commendable in itself but NOT courageous. FFS, people.

So agree. This is the millennial generation, lionizing something that was nothing more than an unfortunate situation.

+1. I don’t think she should have continued, but I do fear for a generation who are being taught that letting your teammates down makes you a hero.

She gave up her chance for her teammates. Her first vault was a disaster. It was scored 13.7. If she had continued and been scored like that,Ed, they would never have medaled at all. Biles stepped back and they fought their way to silver. Biles gave up her spot for the sake of the team as well as herself. She is a class act.

Withdrawing before the team competition started and allowing a team mate to compete in her place would have been classier. They had at least one gymnast that didn’t compete who could have scored better than the three that were left in some of the remaining events.

I read a defense of her actions which went on at length about how she really wasn’t herself at the Olympic Trials, and had been “off” the entire time she’s been in Tokyo. That doesn’t help her case — it means she knew she had issues and decided to risk her team’s chances and possibly leave her teammates in the lurch.

Again, I’m not saying she should have continued, but she’s not a hero.

She.Didn't.Know.This.Was.Going.To.Happen. She's won 18 world championships and 4 gold medal and this is the first performance issue she's had. It's easy for you to play Monday morning quarterback from the safety of your couch.

Damn....say it louder for the bit$#@tchea in the back! How are all these folks not getting this? Maybe she thought she would be fine,, Maybe she thought she could push through and then she realized she couldn't! I mean what more is there to say? She's not risking her life for the team. Half of yall wouldn't visit your sick grandma during covid but you all want Simone to risk her life for the team? For American? For entertainment?

Show me a single poster saying she should have competed even if it wasn’t safe. Also, if you visited your sick grandma during covid, you were disobeying CDC guidelines and putting others’ lives at risk - very selfish of you.

Move on already. Her teammates have seemed to do so without the hysterical drama of the couch potato fans.

Does it make you angry that you can’t control other people? My advice is to learn to accept it.

Nah but I do feel a bit sorry for you. Toodles!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you feel like criticizing Simone Biles, please refer to this decision tree from McSweeney's:

https://www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/are-you-allowed-to-criticize-simone-biles-a-decision-tree

Stupid. If want to monetize on and promote yourself and make money off your talent on a world wide scale, then you have to be able to withstand the criticism, and your actions are fair game for criticism (and praise) at this level.

She couldn't handle the heat, so she got out of the kitchen. Her choice, but expect me to admire her for it. Mental toughness and overcoming adversity to reach greatness is one of the things that separate champions from participants.

She's human, not a machine. Everyone has times they can't perform as expected due to health issues. She's won 4 gold medals and 18 world champion titles. No one who knows anything would say she's not a champion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you feel like criticizing Simone Biles, please refer to this decision tree from McSweeney's:

https://www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/are-you-allowed-to-criticize-simone-biles-a-decision-tree

Stupid. If want to monetize on and promote yourself and make money off your talent on a world wide scale, then you have to be able to withstand the criticism, and your actions are fair game for criticism (and praise) at this level.

She couldn't handle the heat, so she got out of the kitchen. Her choice, but expect me to admire her for it. Mental toughness and overcoming adversity to reach greatness is one of the things that separate champions from participants.

Gag. If you could round up 80% of people who talk this way and review their lives we'd all be laughing our asses off.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you feel like criticizing Simone Biles, please refer to this decision tree from McSweeney's:

https://www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/are-you-allowed-to-criticize-simone-biles-a-decision-tree

Stupid. If want to monetize on and promote yourself and make money off your talent on a world wide scale, then you have to be able to withstand the criticism, and your actions are fair game for criticism (and praise) at this level.

She couldn't handle the heat, so she got out of the kitchen. Her choice, but expect me to admire her for it. Mental toughness and overcoming adversity to reach greatness is one of the things that separate champions from participants.

Gag. If you could round up 80% of people who talk this way and review their lives we'd all be laughing our asses off.

So true. Anonymity gives people the freedom to be nasty, and some people should look in the mirror before they cast stones at others.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:She looked miserable in the stands last night. Her eyes look spacey, her face seems sad or expressionless, and she was barely doing a polite golf clap.

I bet she checks into a facility for “exhaustion” when she returns.

She seemed frazzled at trials too

She also made several uncharacteristic mistakes at the qualifiers, and I went back to look at her failed vault, the look on her face before that vault says it all.

I don’t know what the game plan is with keeping her there, help build her confidence back up?

[Anonymous]

I blame the media for focusing exclusively on Simone. It was too much pressure.

I blame the media for continuing to focus on her. She’s done. Move onto the other athletes.

Simone needs to step away from gymnastics now. That’s the only way to stop the media attention. At the very least, she needs to step back for a couple years and pivot to something else.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you feel like criticizing Simone Biles, please refer to this decision tree from McSweeney's:

https://www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/are-you-allowed-to-criticize-simone-biles-a-decision-tree

JFC why does it always come down to skin color?

+1. Also, no one is above criticism. It’s part of life, especially if you willingly put yourself in the public sphere. Just because you are famous or rich or powerful or athletic, it doesn’t make you better than other people.

If we are not allowed to criticize anyone other than ourselves we should also not be allowed to praise anyone other than ourselves, right?