Aimee Boorman Details Simone Biles' 'Twisties' Struggles Before Olympics

Simone Biles' struggles with the 'twisties'—a dangerous mental block causing gymnasts to lose spatial awareness mid-air—began years before her high-profile withdrawal from the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. According to her longtime coach Aimee Boorman's new book, Biles first experienced the twisties as early as January 2016, ahead of the Rio Olympics, and even dealt with symptoms during the 2015 World Championships. During these periods, Biles would physically stop herself from twisting in routines out of fear of losing control in the air, though she never crashed. Boorman adopted a patient, supportive approach, working with Biles' family and therapist, which helped Biles recover and ultimately succeed at the 2016 Games. The revelations highlight that Biles' challenges with the twisties were ongoing and required both mental health support and coaching patience. The story also underscores the broader conversation around athletes' mental health, as Biles received both praise and criticism for prioritizing her well-being during the Tokyo Games.