Simone Biles and Sha’Carri Richardson are more than just Olympic athletes- they are role models who have made their mark on the world, not just through their athletic achievements, but by the way they have changed the perspective on professional athletes when advocating for mental health and showing resilience.
Simone Biles is widely known as one of the greatest gymnasts of all time. She currently holds more than thirty World Championship medals and seven Olympic titles since the age of sixteen.
Even though she has had a successful career, her impact on the world goes beyond her athletic achievements.
After the incident at the Tokyo Olympics she altered the expectations on the sport and sparked an important conversation on athletes’ mental health. She had the courage to inspire change and put herself first rather than falling under pressure which was very inspiring to many gymnasts struggling with their own mental problems.
In an interview with Alex Cooper, she questioned Simone Biles on what was going on in the back of her mind during her vaults. This led Biles to describe her experience at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and why she ultimately chose to withdraw from the competition.
From the moment she entered the gym she knew that something was wrong. During her training she had experienced something called the twisties: when your mind and body disconnect, your body will try to do something but your mind is going to say that it’s not possible. This frustrated Biles since she wasn’t making her passes, which is when she realized that action needed to be taken. Biles stated, “I need to take care of myself and I need to do what is right for the team. I need to go sit down, take a rest, see what is wrong mentally, and figure it out.”
Biles is perceived as an influential athlete because she has helped many people realize that it is okay to take a step back. By showing that rest does more good than harm, athletes begin to feel more comfortable prioritizing themselves knowing that professional athletes do the same. Younger generations look up to their role models which is why every moment of spotlight should be taken with the right mindset to be perceived in a positive manner.
“She blazed a trail for sports to look at not only physical health and injuries, but also how their athletes are doing mentally,” Lilia Robinson-Palomata ‘26 stated. “Being in sports and taking sports psychology, she is studied a lot for her contribution to how mental health is a big proponent into how an athlete can compete at their full potential.”
Sha’Carri Richardson, has shown perseverance, showing that setbacks are just a stepping stone towards comebacks, determination over setbacks, isn’t afraid to show her true self, stands up against criticisms towards women, especially African American women.
In an interview after winning the 100m race in the World Championship to advance into the semifinals Richardson stated, “At the end of the day I’ve always been with me, God has always been with me…Now it is time to do it for myself and the people that felt like me, the people that look like me and the people that know the truth about themselves as well, I represent those people.”
Richardson is an influence to many sprinters. Her personality makes her a role model. She is very expressive and seemingly carefree.
“It’s a great comeback story, I know she got disqualified at the 2020 Olympics but ended up winning a medal in Paris which really shows her drive and dedication towards the sport,” Olivia Cobell ‘26 stated.
From young, unknown athletes in Texas to competing in the Olympics, both athletes have shown resilience in the face of adversity, proving that setbacks do not define an athlete.
At the 2020 Tokyo Olympics Simone and Sha’Carri prepared to compete in their designated events when they were faced with unexpected challenges: Richardson was disqualified after testing positive for marijuana and Biles chose to step down from the competition after experiencing the twisties on vault.
When it was released to the public that they were not competing, they received a lot of backlash from the public and many doubted if they could ever make it to a professional level again. People commented on Biles lack of commitment in her events and they also questioned her dedication to the sport making it seem as if she gave up. For Richardson, critics mocked her for her confidence and personality stating that she doesn’t take the sport seriously and wont make it back to the top.
“Y’all should respect athletes more, y’all should understand them coming from whether they’re winning or losing, whatever the case may be, athletes deserve more respect…be more understanding of the fact that they are still human” Sha’Carri Richardson stated.
Even with all the hatred remarks, these women refused to let the negativity on social media define who they are. This led them to stand up for themselves and prove their strength through their performances.
At the 2024 Paris Olympics Biles returned stronger than ever, winning four medals and proving that rest is necessary in order to succeed as an athlete. She continued to push her boundaries while making it clear that physical strength is just as important as mental strength. For Richardson, she continued being herself even after many individuals stated their opinions towards her appearance. Through her strong drive & determination to take a stance, it led her to becoming one of the fastest women in the world in the 4x100m and the 100m.
They show that women are capable of so much more than what we are perceived as and that we shouldn’t be afraid to stand up for ourselves if we are ever faced with intense criticism towards our abilities.
This women’s history month, The Lance is featuring some of the strong female students and staff on campus, as well as women in sports and pop culture. If you have an idea of someone who you would like to see featured, fill out this Google Form.
