[ad_1]
Simone Biles’ decision to withdraw from two gymnastics events at the Tokyo Olympics sent shockwaves around the world this week and garnered empathy from retired swimmer Michael Phelps.
Phelps is one of the most decorated Olympic swimmers of all time and retirement raised awareness of mental health issues. He told NBC Sports ‘Mike Tirico on Wednesday that Biles’ situation over the past few days “broke my heart.”
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
“We need someone who we can trust. Someone who can let us be ourselves and listen. Allow us to become vulnerable, someone who is not going to try to fix us. You know, we carry a lot of things, a lot of weight on our shoulders. And it’s a challenge, especially when we have the lights on us and all these expectations that are thrown on us. So it broke my heart, “a said Phelps.
Phelps launched their mental health campaign in June 2018, according to Olympics.com. He said he had suicidal thoughts after the London Olympics in 2012.
He told Tirico that fans should remember that athletes are also human.
BRAZILIAN SKATEBOARD RAYSSA LEAL RETURNS FROM THE OLYMPIC GAMES TO THE SURPRISE OF THE “PETITE FÉE” BRAND
“We are humans, aren’t we? We are human beings. No one is perfect, so yeah, it’s OK not to be OK. It’s OK to go through ups and downs and an emotional roller coaster, ”he said. “But I think the most important thing is that we all have to ask for help sometimes too, when we are going through these times. For me, I can personally say that it was something very difficult. It was difficult. for me to ask for help. I felt like I was carrying, as Simone said, the weight of the world on [my] shoulders. It is a difficult situation. “
He added that he hoped Biles’ situation would help raise awareness of mental health issues.
Biles was seen in the stands supporting her teammates in the all-around Thursday night.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“The overwhelming love and support I received made me realize that I am more than my accomplishments and my gymnastics that I never really believed in before,” she tweeted.
[ad_2]
Source link