New York (AFP)
Four-time Olympic gymnast Simone Biles said on Wednesday that she "cried" when she heard about the postponement of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, a decision that calls into question her retirement plans and will be "mentally" difficult for her to bear .
When I learned about it, "I didn't know what to think about it at first. I sat down and cried. (...) At the time, it was hard, but it got better "said the 23-year-old sportswoman at the NBC microphone.
For Biles, this decision is "the right one" to "make sure everyone in the United States and around the world goes well", but it is all the more difficult to accept since the gymnast had initially announced that she would retire from sport after Tokyo. Postponing the Games for a year will therefore amount to making it another year in competition.
"Physically, I have no doubt that my coaches will be able to get me back into shape (for 2021), but mentally, doing one more year, I think it will have an impact on me as on most athletes", a explained the young woman.
Biles became the most medal-winning gymnast in history worldwide (men and women combined) at the Stuttgart Worlds last year, with 25 awards (19 gold medals, three silver and three bronze).
During the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, the only ones in which she participated, she won gold individually, by teams, on floor and pommel horse, as well as bronze on beam.
The Tokyo Olympics were postponed for a year due to the new coronavirus pandemic. They will now be held from July 23 to August 8, 2021.
Biles also joined the "Athlete for relief" initiative to collect donations to fight the pandemic.
"In a crisis like this, I feel like everyone wants to get up to help," she said.
"I have this opportunity, so donating this autographed leotard will help children not fall behind in school and small businesses resist. It was the right time to do it and I I'm glad I did, "she said.
© 2020 AFP