WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Simone Biles’ absence and return to the Olympics has been among the biggest stories of Tokyo 2020, and it has caught the attention and admiration of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
The 14th District representative praised the seven-time Olympic medal winner in a TMZ interview for her honesty in taking time away from the big stage for her mental wellbeing.
“She showed that she’s a role model, not just as an athlete, but a leader for all people,” says Ocasio-Cortez. “To say listen, we do not have to choose between our performance and ourselves and our health. Both of those things are one in the same.”
Biles nabbed a bronze medal on the balance beam after stepping away from multiple events due to the “twisties” and in order to focus on her mental health.
She also revealed after the medal win that her aunt died “unexpectedly” just days ago.
The 31-year-old Ocasio-Cortez said that the 24-year-old Biles being able to come back and perform showed, “her taking care of herself helps you be better in the end.”
And Biles felt the same — saying on the TODAY Show that her Tokyo bronze means more than her gold medals.
Ocasio-Cortez appears to be locked in on the Olympics, also taking time to show her support for Puerto Rican runner Jasmine Camacho-Quinn.