CNN journalist sends harsh message to critics of Biles 5:13
(CNN) -
After Simone Biles withdrew from the women's team gymnastics final and all-around individual competition to focus on her mental health, other Olympians have said they have left social media platforms to protect your own mental well-being.
Biles, one of the greatest gymnasts of all time, withdrew from a dramatic team competition on Tuesday, pointing to mental health problems in an attempt to protect "her body and her mind."
On Wednesday, USA Gymnastics announced that the gymnast would not compete in the individual event, a decision they supported "wholeheartedly."
And in light of Biles' decision to prioritize his own mental state over competing, some gold medal-winning athletes at Tokyo 2020 have said they are taking steps to protect their own health.
ANALYSIS |
Simone Biles' retirement reminds us that she is human and that she remains the best of all time
Australian swimmer Ariarne Titmus, who has won two Olympic gold medals at Tokyo 2020 in the 200 and 400 meters freestyle, stated that she removed all social media apps from her phone to avoid "outside pressure."
"I think that as much as everyone's messages are really pretty, and it's good to look at them a little bit, sometimes it can be a bit overwhelming," she said after her victory in her last match with American Katie Ledecky in the final of the women's 200 meter freestyle on Wednesday.
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"So I just talk to my family, a little, not that much. So I have tried not to read anything because I think that adds external pressure. I mean, last night I asked my best friend to go on my Instagram to post a post for me. So I didn't even go online and post, but she said, 'Dude, your notifications are out of control,' "added the 20-year-old.
"So when I get back online, it's going to be a bit hectic I think. But I think it's nice to be able to be out of that when you're competing. It's another thing you don't have to worry about."
Doncic and Ariarne Titmus, the protagonists in Tokyo 2020 2:25
After setting a new Olympic record of 53.50 seconds in the 200 meters to claim her second Games gold, Titmus admitted that although she had learned of Biles' departure, she tries to focus on herself while competing.
"It's a bit strange, actually at an Olympics, and there are multiple events going on," he told the media.
"But I feel like when you have such a narrow focus, you just really think about what you're doing. And for me, this is like another swimming competition. So I'm not really looking outside too much."
Titmus' reaction to his coach Dean Boxall after winning the gold medal in the women's 200 meter freestyle.
Overcome heartbreak
For Dutch cyclist Annemiek van Vleuten, stepping away from social media was a decision she made to preserve her mental state after her heartbreaking silver medal in Sunday's women's road cycling race.
As he crossed the finish line after completing the 147-kilometer course, he raised his arms in celebration, thinking that he had won the gold medal.
However, she did not realize that Austrian Anna Kiesenhofer had crossed the finish line well ahead of her competitors and had taken the gold medal.
Olympic Games: records, surprises and curious moments in Tokyo 2020 (2021)
And in an effort to cope with the reactions he might have received on social media after his heartbreaking moment, van Vleuten decided to stay out of it.
After finally clinching a gold medal in the individual time trial on Wednesday, van Vleuten said he cut himself off from social media to help his preparation.
van Vleuten celebrates by crossing the finish line of the women's road race and winning the silver medal.
"I cut myself off from social media, and the message I took home from the road race was that I was in my best shape," he told the media.
"I let all the media ... I left the Twitter account closed," he added.
"I let everyone speak, but the message I took with me was: I'm back in my best shape."
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