Simone Biles’ Coach Cecile, Reveals the Gymnast’s Defense From Mental Health Trauma Ahead Of Paris Olympics 2024: “It’s An Escape”

Simone Biles has bravely shared her struggles with mental health, once admitting, “I go to therapy to help with that because there were times when I didn’t want to set foot in a gym.“ This statement was made before the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. However, Biles, then made headlines by withdrawing from the team final due to mental health concerns, sparking global discussions on athlete well-being.

As anticipation builds for the fast-approaching Paris Olympics, all eyes are once again fixed on Biles. However, there’s a notable shift in her approach to the Olympics this time around, as her coach Cecile Landi recently disclosed in the “All Things Gymnastics“ podcast.

Simone Biles’ approach for the 2024 Olympics: insights from Coach Cecile Landi

In a recent interview, hosted by Brittany Buhler, Cecile Landi, a 1996 Olympian for France and esteemed coach at the World Champions Centre in Texas since 2017, shed light on Simone Biles’ approach to the upcoming Olympics. When asked about Biles’ preparation compared to previous cycles, “She really seems to be kind of taking a different approach this Olympic cycle and kind of toning it back a little bit and focusing on her mental health. But how is she doing physically and mentally gearing up for this Olympics compared to last Olympic cycle?”

To this Cecile’s response, painted a picture of Biles in a positive light, stating, “Really well, she’s really in tune with how she’s feeling mentally and physically, speaking up about it, keeping up with her therapist weekly. She knows it’s important… We’ve scheduled a lot of appointments until the end and making sure she has that routine going ’cause she knows she needs it. It’s an escape and it’s also what helps her continue what she’s doing.”

This insight reflects Biles’ commitment to prioritizing her mental well-being while maintaining her physical prowess, showcasing a balanced and mindful approach to her Olympic journey. With the Paris Olympics merely two months away, Simone Biles is poised to make her season debut, set for the 17th and 18th of May at the US Classic. Notably, Biles has already secured her qualification for the Paris Olympics, underscoring her status as a frontrunner in the gymnastics world.