Simone Biles is objectively the greatest gymnast ever. To that fact, reasonable minds cannot differ based upon her Olympian achievements and 32 Olympic and World Medals (including her record 25 World Champion Gold Medals). And yet, her recent decision to extricate herself from most, if not all of the 2021 Olympic Gymnastic Competition, will have a vast and enduring impact on American culture, long after the Olympic medal tallies are in.
Only Biles knows why she did what she did. However, the fact that she has been so widely lauded for her actions signals a tectonic shift in the way Americans view competition, courage, and commitment.
Once upon a time not long ago, all of the profiles in courage stories were about those who cross the finish line, against all odds. Now, people are lauded for their courage by not participating when things get too tough. Biles has been practically canonized by the media and popular culture without even a hint of critical analysis for her exit from the competition.
There is no doubt that the pressure at Biles level of competition is gut-wrenching. That said, the void created by her default had monumental consequences for her team, teammates, coaches, and country. And by country, I don't mean not securing another Gold Medal for Team USA, but the deep and lasting impact it will have on our culture.
Simone Biles with all of her gifts, talents, and victories has deservedly become a national icon, and inspiration generally and to young girls in particular. However, it is now likely that she will be more celebrated for her choice of non-participation, than for her talent, athletic brilliance, and unrivaled determination to be the best in the world.
The Summer Olympics, despite its historical controversies, intrigues, and tragedies, is still the world's biggest stage. Accordingly, the biggest players on that stage shape our culture, through their post Olympian Media Pulpits. At this juncture, there is none who looms larger than Simone Biles…
There is an emerging ethos in America that any mere discomfort can be enough to trigger endless sympathies and exoneration from work, personal, and family commitments. When this expressed discomfort rises to a certain level, it has become almost expected that we convey gushing sympathy to the person seeking to extricate themselves from their commitments rather than to those who are harmed by the exit strategy of their “disabled" friend, parent, co-worker, or teammate.
…"But we've been married for 20 years!”…“I can't go on like this anymore, I'm bored”…
…“You have a two-year contract!”…“Sorry, I feel like moving to another city.”
…“You only have three months left and it's crunch time!”…“I need to leave today, this place just isn't good for my psyche”...
The broad trajectory of American popular culture favors the adulation of individual sympathy narratives rather than results, real accomplishment, and winning. To the Chinese, Bile's reason for abdication from the competition is irrelevant. The fact is, she left the field and as a shining symbol of American excellence, they will likely construe this as the rot of our culture leading to vulnerability and weakness.
Abdication of personal responsibility sadly is becoming a core American practice.
If Biles does become more celebrated in America for her nonparticipation in the 2021 Olympics rather than her actual achievements, we will be one step closer to America, “The Can't Do Nation”, and that is not The American Way.
-Emes