Simone Biles' off-arena exploits have been praised, but are they enough to warrant the title Athlete of the Year? Photo / Photosport
Simone Biles' off-arena exploits have been praised, but are they enough to warrant the title Athlete of the Year? Photo / Photosport
The decision by TIME Magazine to anoint Simone Biles Athlete of the Year has sparked a fierce debate as Piers Morgan savaged the call.
TIME Magazine's decision to name US gymnast Simone Biles as Athlete of the Year has sparked plenty of debate in the wake of her headline-grabbing Tokyo Olympics campaign.
The most decorated gymnast in history, Biles caused a stir when she pulled out of the women's team final after just one awkward vault in Japan, having suffered a case of the "Twisties" — a severance of communication between mind and body.
Biles also withdrew from the individual all-around event before returning to win individual bronze on the beam later in the meet.
The American superstar later opened up about her mental health battles, admitting she should never have travelled to Tokyo because she wasn't in the right headspace, referencing the traumatic effects of being sexually assaulted by disgraced former Team USA doctor Larry Nassar, who was jailed for life for abusing dozens of athletes under his care.
"I should have quit way before Tokyo, when Larry Nassar was in the media for two years," Biles told New York Magazine in September. "It was too much. But I was not going to let him take something I've worked for since I was six-years-old. I wasn't going to let him take that joy away from me.
"So I pushed past that as long as my mind and my body would let me."
In September, Biles — along with fellow American gymnasts — showed incredible bravery in providing harrowing Senate testimony about the abuse perpetrated by Nassar, as part of an inquiry into authorities' failure to take appropriate action when issues about the doctor's conduct were first raised.
Biles' performance in Tokyo divided opinion. Some criticised her for bailing from competition and letting her team down while plenty of others showered the four-time Olympic gold medallist with praise for having the courage to admit her mental health wasn't OK.
Simone Biles celebrates bronze in Tokyo. Photo / Getty
TIME's decision has caused a similar split. One on side, many applauded the publication for recognising the significance of Biles' contributions stretch further than the arena of competition.
'It really humanised us': Support floods in
Writing in support of the decision for Deadspin, Stephen Knox said: "What Biles taught us is something usually thought to be atypical of the top athletes in the world. She taught us that we need to be OK with people not being OK.
"Biles may not have finished the year with the glory and hardware that (NFL star Tom) Brady did, but she still gave a far greater championship performance in front of the entire world. Biles showed what it's like to show strength through vulnerability.
"She had to be honest with herself that the last five years were weighing on her. As badly as she wanted to show the world that Nassar's crimes against her would not stop her, Biles was forced to deal with the fact that she needed to heal more from what happened and she had to admit that to the world.
"That's what it is to be a competitor. Biles may not have been ready to win a gold medal, but she owned it and didn't let any outside pressure force her to do something that would put her health and wellbeing at risk — that wasn't going to happen anymore."
Sunisa Lee, a teammate of Biles who won gold in Tokyo, was on her friend's side.
"What Simone did changed the way we view our wellbeing, 100 per cent," Lee told TIME. "It showed us that we are more than the sport, that we are human beings who also can have days that are hard.
Many comments on TIME's Facebook post were supportive of Biles' recognition. Edith W Johnson wrote: "A courageous woman who has given permission to many to know their limits. Thank you Simone."
Georgina Doherty added: "Simone Biles I hope you can see how much you are loved here. Thank you for being the champion we all needed xx."
American politician Nina Turner tweeted: "Congratulations @Simone_Biles! Thank you for being an inspiration to millions of little Black girls everywhere."
'Ridiculous': Morgan savages Biles call
Outspoken British media commentator Piers Morgan slammed Biles during the Olympics and wasn't changing his tune this time around.
"Ridiculous. We should celebrate winning in sport — not quitting," Morgan tweeted.
"'Athlete of the Year' for someone who quit on her team so they lost, then recovered in time to compete in her solo event a few days later? Pur-lease."
Controversial American right-wing site OutKick featured a piece by Bobby Burack declaring TIME got it wrong.
"TIME named Simone Biles the 2021 Athlete of the Year. Why? Well because, to quote the outlet, she had 'confusion in her eyes' and was 'unsure of her whereabouts in midair'," Burack wrote.
"So much for elite performance.
"At the Olympics, Simone Biles should have done whatever was in her best interest. And she says she did. However, that does not make her the top athlete of 2021."
