In Pics: Simone Biles and others highlight mental struggles of Olympic athletes
United States gymnastics star Simone Biles' decision to pull out of events at the ongoing Tokyo Olympics has once again put the spotlight on mental health struggles of Olympic athletes. American swimmer Michael Phelps, who won 23 Olympic gold medals in the poll, revealed after his retirement how he contemplated committing suicide at one time. In these collection of pictures, we take a look at Olympic atheletes who have dealt with mental health issues.
Dutch cyclist Tom Dumoulin
Dutch cyclist Tom Dumoulin left training camp in January to clear his head, saying he was finding it 'very difficult for me to know how to find my way as Tom Dumoulin the cyclist'. On Wednesday (July 28), he won a silver medal in the men’s individual time trials at the Tokyo Olympics. (Source: Twitter)
US sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson
American sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson made no secret of the issues she faced as she prepared for an Olympic journey that never happened. She said she used marijuana to help mask the pain of her birth mother’s death apart from pressure of competing in 100m event at the Tokyo Olympics. (Source: Twitter)
Japanese tennis star Naomi Osaka
Tennis player Naomi Osaka withdrew from the French Open, never went to Wimbledon and, after her early exit in Tokyo this week, conceded that the Olympic cauldron was a bit too much to handle. (Source: Twitter)
Former US swimmer Michael Phelps
23-time Olympic gold medal winner Michael Phelps had revealed he contemplated committed suicide after 2012 London Olympics due to depression. (Source: Twitter)
Australian basketball star Liz Cambage
Liz Cambage, a WNBA player who competes for Australia, pulled out of the Olympics a week before they opened because of anxiety over entering a controlled COVID-19 bubble in Tokyo. (Source: Twitter)
US gymnast Simone Biles
US gymnastics star Simone Biles has pulled out of events in Tokyo Olympics citing mental health issues. The 25-year-old defending champion of the individual all-around gymnastics title, has decided to forego the chance to go for a second straight Olympic win, prioritising her mental well-being over medal success. (Source: Twitter)
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