REUTERS/Mike Blake
- Simone Biles has fired back at those who criticized her events withdrawals at the Tokyo Olympics.
- In an Instagram post reflecting on a month since the games, Biles said "the word quitter is not in my vocabulary."
- Biles withdrew from several events in Tokyo and faced stern backlash from some commentators.
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Simone Biles, the joint-most decorated gymnast in history, has hit back at her critics following her withdrawal from events at the Tokyo Olympics.
Biles struggled at Tokyo, withdrawing from all but two of her events as she suffered from the "twisties," which causes gymnasts to be unable to work out where they are in the air, making aerial maneuvers dangerous and difficult to complete.
After several days out during the games, the 24-year-old returned to win bronze in the balance beam, equaling Shannon Miller for most medals won by an American female gymnast, but faced fierce criticism from some commentators.
One former Olympic gold medalist said Biles needed "a nice kick in the arse," while British TV host and columnist Piers Morgan called her "selfish" and said she had let down her teammates.
AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko
Taking to Instagram, Biles hit back at those critics, and said "the word quitter is not in my vocabulary."
"Can't believe it's already been a month.
"Definitely not the way I planned the Olympics going but I wouldn't change anything for the world.
"I'm proud of myself and the career I've had thus far. This Olympics doesn't erase the past accomplishments I've achieved nor does it define who I am as an athlete.
"I've pushed through so much the past couple years, the word quitter is not in my vocabulary.
"For some of you, that may be how you define me but keep talking because I can't hear you over my seven Olympic medals which tied me for the most decorated gymnast EVER as well as most decorated American gymnast."
Before Tokyo, Biles was billed as one of the potential stars of the games having won gold in four events at Rio 2016.
Speaking in an interview with her mom after the games, Biles highlighted difficulties with her mental health that caused her issues in Tokyo.
"I wouldn't even say it started in Tokyo. I feel like it was probably a little deeper rooted than that.
"I think it was just the stress factor built up over time. My body and my mind just said no, but even I didn't know I was going through it until it just happened," Biles said in a video published on the website of Athleta, her apparel sponsor.