I’ve been trying to sort through my various thoughts and reaction to Simone Biles and her stunning explanation that she has been overcome with the twisties over the last few weeks, thus preventing her from competing at her top level in the Olympics.
In the end, I think my overriding emotion is that I just feel sorry for her. I mean, she really is the greatest of all time in gymnastics, and yet, she apparently began to worry a few weeks ago that she was losing her psychological edge in terms of doing her stellar routines.
Twisties are very much like suffering the yips in golf or in baseball…except that when you’re a gymnast, if you’re losing your edge when you’re spinning high up in the air, you can risk serious physical harm when you land.
Even worse,once you lose that edge – that inner core of confidence – it’s really hard to get it back in such a short period of time.
Take a listen to this AM’s Sports Edge below. Lots of passionate calls from a number of sports fans who truly care about Simone, and most importantly, what her decision not to compete means in terms of a growing sensitivity to athletes and their mental concerns.
Read more on this story at askcoachwolff.com, tune in to WFAN every Sunday morning at 8 A.M. for 'Rick Wolff's Sports Edge,' and follow Rick Wolff on Twitter @askcoachwolff.