Simone Biles discusses mental health advocacy at Laureus World Sports Awards in Madrid; athletes now publicly discuss mental health

Simone Biles on mental health advocacy: “We’re making progress, we’re making change”

The 11-time Olympic medallist on how she sees mental health in sports five years after her conversation-sparking Olympics at Tokyo 2020.

U.S.gymnasticsstarSimone Bileswithdrew from multiple events at Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 after experiencing a mental block known as “the twisties” - a disorienting condition that affects a gymnast’s spatial awareness mid-skill.

Five years later, the 29-year-old says the moment changed everything.

“It got me the therapy that I deserved, and I’m still currently in therapy,” Biles toldCNN Sports at the Laureus World Sports Awards in Madrid.“Gymnasts aren’t viewed as people who have weaknesses, and that was the first time that weakness was displayed on a global stage like that. Now, I look at it as being courageous and not so much a weakness.”

The most decorated gymnast of all time attended the recent Winter Olympics in Milano and met with figure skaterIlia Malininafter his difficult free skate in the men’s individual competition.

She was also in touch with alpine skiing greatLindsey Vonnfollowing her crash in the women’s downhill.

Biles credited tennis star Naomi Osaka and NBA player Kevin Love as athletes who helped her feel less alone in speaking publicly about mental health.

“I wish that more athletes would have spoken about what they were going through whenever I was currently competing,” she said. “There was Naomi Osaka, Kevin Love, but there were very few in between that would speak about mental health and what they were going through. Those were my guides.”

The conversation has grown since.

“Now hearing these athletes mention my name, it’s like, ‘Wow, we’re making progress, we’re making change, we’re being a voice and leader,’” she said. “So it means the world to me.”

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Simone Biles’ message of support for Ilia Malinin

Seven-time Olympic champion Simone Biles understands the massive weight of expectations. When Ilia Malinin finished outside of the medals in the men’s figure skating final, the gymnastics superstar responded without hesitation. “I’ve been through that firsthand and so I really went into protection mode,” said Biles in Milano, where she is partnering with Mandarin Oriental to advocate for health and wellness. Check out her exclusive interview with us.

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