Bok doesn’t have to worry about creating at high performance levels while being distracted by mental health issues. It’s just too easy for him to come up with this lame and tone deaf dribble.
I was … touched … by Biles saying that the outpouring of support was the first time she realized she was important to people for a reason OTHER than being top gymnast. The FIRST time! Wow.
If I understand Bok correctly — and I’m open to having misunderstood him — then I might actually agree with him. As I understand the cartoon, some cranky old armchair Olympians have criticized Biles for pulling out of her events due to mental health concerns. But others recognize that she is showing maturity, wisdom, and leadership by knowing when she is not fit to compete. Gymnastics is a high-risk sport. If you are not totally fit both physically and mentally, you can do (and many have done) serious harm to yourself. At least one gymnast broke her neck competing when she knew she wasn’t fit.
As much as I admire Simone’s stand on mental health, I, too, felt a tinge of remorse, even anger, that she couldn’t just stuff it up for the good of the team. But, gymnastics, especially at the elite level, places the athletes at great risk of serious injury if their heads are not on straight. Simone had said she had felt the pressure to perform at her usual high level. True, she had been expected to put in great tricks of daring during many of the competitions prior to this olympics, but this was evidently the first time she “felt” the pressure. Always, before, she enjoyed the exercises, so that gymnastics was a joy, but now, the joy was gone. And although her body was at her peak level of strength and endurance, her mind was not in the game. That is a recipe for disaster.
I usually don’t agree with Bok, but if I understand him today, I do agree. Biles is not a goat, she is the greatest of all time. And her achievement can be honored whether or not she wins one particular competition. It’s very sad that we push people so hard to compete and we make them feel that they don’t count unless they are the very best. Excellence is excellent, but there’s something sick about the way value people by their position in some ranking.
It is about time that the public stop treating athletes, movie stars, television stars, etc., like gods and start realizing that they are human. It is time to realize that they have loves, hurts, fears and, yes, even mental health issues. Come on people, they are not gods. They are not perfect, just human.
Ms. Biles has performed for many years at the highest level in a difficult and dangerous sport. She withdrew because she became unsure of her ability to control her movements with the precision necessary to ensure not only scoring well, but her safety. Perhaps if she had continued to compete and ended up possibly paralyzed, you would consider her worthy of your approval? That attitude is despicable.
It’s All Good..a American won Gold in Women’s All Around. Biles is a multi millionaire 5x over her heart nor her head was into it. Fearing a poor performance can freeze up the best. I wonder if all her sponsors will pay her after she quit on America ?
RAGs almost 3 years ago
Is Bok complaining about the ability of the gymnasts or their skin color?
Say What Now‽ Premium Member almost 3 years ago
Bok doesn’t have to worry about creating at high performance levels while being distracted by mental health issues. It’s just too easy for him to come up with this lame and tone deaf dribble.
Concretionist almost 3 years ago
I was … touched … by Biles saying that the outpouring of support was the first time she realized she was important to people for a reason OTHER than being top gymnast. The FIRST time! Wow.
Patjade almost 3 years ago
She’s not here for your entertainment, Baghdad Bok. Get over yourself.
GiantShetlandPony almost 3 years ago
Simone Biles will be remembered as the Greatest Of All Time always. Bok, Not-So-Much.
cdward almost 3 years ago
If I understand Bok correctly — and I’m open to having misunderstood him — then I might actually agree with him. As I understand the cartoon, some cranky old armchair Olympians have criticized Biles for pulling out of her events due to mental health concerns. But others recognize that she is showing maturity, wisdom, and leadership by knowing when she is not fit to compete. Gymnastics is a high-risk sport. If you are not totally fit both physically and mentally, you can do (and many have done) serious harm to yourself. At least one gymnast broke her neck competing when she knew she wasn’t fit.
Biles is therefor truly the G.O.A.T.
piper_gilbert almost 3 years ago
I’ll go with G.O.A.T. for Biles. Bok has GOAT nailed.
Zen-of-Zinfandel almost 3 years ago
Bok has an Olga Korbut wall poster.
preacherman almost 3 years ago
As much as I admire Simone’s stand on mental health, I, too, felt a tinge of remorse, even anger, that she couldn’t just stuff it up for the good of the team. But, gymnastics, especially at the elite level, places the athletes at great risk of serious injury if their heads are not on straight. Simone had said she had felt the pressure to perform at her usual high level. True, she had been expected to put in great tricks of daring during many of the competitions prior to this olympics, but this was evidently the first time she “felt” the pressure. Always, before, she enjoyed the exercises, so that gymnastics was a joy, but now, the joy was gone. And although her body was at her peak level of strength and endurance, her mind was not in the game. That is a recipe for disaster.
lonecat almost 3 years ago
I usually don’t agree with Bok, but if I understand him today, I do agree. Biles is not a goat, she is the greatest of all time. And her achievement can be honored whether or not she wins one particular competition. It’s very sad that we push people so hard to compete and we make them feel that they don’t count unless they are the very best. Excellence is excellent, but there’s something sick about the way value people by their position in some ranking.
Lou Nattic, né Stan C almost 3 years ago
^^Yet he had to say something. Attention hoe!
Pat Towey almost 3 years ago
What the hell is Bok talking about now?
fritzoid Premium Member almost 3 years ago
I read this as Bok being supportive of Bines (his sympathies are with the younger woman, to whom he gives the final word).
Not every news story needs to be filtered through a political lens.
Scoutmaster77 almost 3 years ago
She was sexually abused by the team doctor for years. Mr. Bok, who’s the Goat now.
B 8671 almost 3 years ago
Darsan54 Premium Member almost 3 years ago
I assume Mom is MAGA.
dnie1951 almost 3 years ago
She put the ME in TEAM…………………and the spot she accepted could have gone to another worthy competitor. (If she cared about others).
IAMTHELAW Premium Member almost 3 years ago
Ms. Biles has performed for many years at the highest level in a difficult and dangerous sport. She withdrew because she became unsure of her ability to control her movements with the precision necessary to ensure not only scoring well, but her safety. Perhaps if she had continued to compete and ended up possibly paralyzed, you would consider her worthy of your approval? That attitude is despicable.
Ammo is busy training in the hills Premium Member almost 3 years ago
It’s All Good..a American won Gold in Women’s All Around. Biles is a multi millionaire 5x over her heart nor her head was into it. Fearing a poor performance can freeze up the best. I wonder if all her sponsors will pay her after she quit on America ?