Nastia Liukinhas penned a special message forSimone Biles.
The 31-year-old gold medal-winning gymnast shared an emotional note to Biles, 24, on Wednesday, after the decorated United States gymnastbowed out of the women’s team finalas well as theindividual all-aroundat theTokyo Summer Olympics.
“Thank you for showing the depth of who you are beyond an athlete as a leader, role model, mental health warrior, and person,“Liukin wroteon social media, adding that Biles is “epitomizing what the next generation of role models should be.”
Liukin also lauded Biles “for creating a safer space for current and future athletes to unequivocally be themselves.”
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Other Olympians have come to Biles' defense as well. On Wednesday, gold-medal swimmerMichael Phelpstold NBC’s Mike Tirico “the Olympics is overwhelming” and said Biles' situation “broke my heart.”
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Aly Raisman and Laurie Hernandez alsoweighed inon their former U.S.A. Gymnastics teammate’s situation Tuesday during an appearance on theTodayshow shortly after news broke of Biles' sudden withdrawal.
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“She’s human, and I think sometimes people forget that,” she later added. “And Simone, just like everyone else, is doing the best that she can.”
“I can’t imagine what she’s feeling right now, because people have been keeping a very close eye on her for the last few years and of course, this is the moment where everybody wants to tune in,” Hernandez, 21, said.
“The outpouring love & support I’ve received has made me realize I’m more than my accomplishments and gymnastics which I never truly believed before,“Biles said.
To learn more about Team USA, visitTeamUSA.org. Watch the Tokyo Olympics now on NBC.
source: people.com
