FAIRFIELD, Ohio — Simone Biles has once again made history, securing the gold medal in the women’s all-around competition at the Olympics. Her achievement, coupled with Suni Lee’s bronze medal performance, underscores a significant moment for U.S. gymnastics, marking Biles as the most decorated American gymnast of all time.
This victory comes just three years after Biles took a hiatus from the Olympics to focus on her mental health, demonstrating a powerful comeback and resilience. Her journey has profoundly impacted local gymnasts at the Cincinnati Gymnastics Academy in Fairfield, inspiring them to prioritize their own mental well-being.
Selah Dills and Lydia Burnett, young gymnasts at the academy, reflect this new approach to balancing mental and physical health. Dills, who aspires to be an elite gymnast, embraces the challenges of the sport with determination. “It’s a little scary at first, but when you get used to it, it feels like you’re just flying in the air,” Dills said. Her resolve is evident as she persists through falls and setbacks, always striving to improve.
Burnett, whose dedication to gymnastics is evident, plans to study psychology in college to help fellow athletes navigate mental health challenges. “Mentally, it’s very hard, but physically it’s pretty easy,” Burnett said. Her future goal is to assist other gymnasts with similar struggles, driven by her own experiences.
Mary Lee Tracy, a former Team USA coach and advocate for athlete mental health, emphasizes the crucial link between mental and physical performance. “You have to believe in yourself, which is mental health, but you also need control over the mind because it controls the body,” Tracy said. Her own experiences coaching at the Olympics, including winning gold in 1996, reinforce the importance of this balance.
As these young athletes continue their training, they are guided by the principles of mental resilience and body coordination. “Feet down, hips up, and then take a deep breath and go for it,” Burnett advises. Dills echoes this commitment to perseverance: “I’m going to keep going strong and finish this the right way.”
At the Cincinnati Gymnastics Academy, the focus remains on integrating mental health and athletic performance, inspired by the successes of Team USA.
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