Simone Biles’ coach, Aimee Boorman, has revealed in her new book, The Balance: My Years Coaching Simone Biles, that the gymnast faced a serious challenge with the “twisties” even before the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, where the condition severely impacted her performance. The twisties refer to a mental block experienced by gymnasts, causing them to lose their spatial orientation while in the air, leading to disorientation and an inability to properly execute their routines. This condition can be extremely dangerous in gymnastics, a sport where even minor mistakes can lead to serious injury.
While Biles is widely known for experiencing the twisties at the 2021 Tokyo Games, Boorman writes that the condition affected Biles as early as January 2016, ahead of the Rio de Janeiro Olympics. This was before Biles had solidified her place in gymnastics history by winning four gold medals at the Rio Olympics. According to Boorman, the twisties first manifested after Biles felt pressure following her victory at the 2015 World Championships, where she took home four golds.
Boorman explains that in early 2016, Biles was unable to twist during her routines, despite her world-renowned skill. She would stop herself from attempting twists altogether, fearful of losing her orientation mid-air. Boorman describes the twisties as an unsettling experience, with Biles not knowing whether she would land safely on her feet, back, or even head, creating a terrifying mental block during training and competitions.
Despite this setback, Boorman emphasized that the situation was handled carefully. Rather than rushing Biles back into full routines, they took a step back to allow her to regain confidence. Boorman worked closely with Biles, consulting her family and therapist, and in time, Biles was able to overcome the twisties. By the time of the 2016 Olympic trials, Biles had regained her ability to perform the complicated twisting elements of her routines, and by the Olympics, she was in peak form, earning four gold medals and cementing her legacy as one of the greatest gymnasts of all time.
The book also highlights how the experience in 2016 was a significant learning moment for both Biles and her coaching team. Boorman points out that it was possible for an elite gymnast to take time away from certain elements of their training without losing their overall ability. Biles’ success in Rio, despite earlier struggles with the twisties, demonstrated her resilience and mental strength, which would prove crucial in the years to come.
Biles did not comment directly on Boorman’s revelation but did write the foreword for the book, acknowledging their close working relationship. While Biles faced significant mental health challenges at the Tokyo Olympics, including dealing with the twisties, she appeared to have overcome any such concerns at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she won three gold medals. As of now, Biles holds 11 Olympic medals and 30 World Championship medals, making her the most decorated gymnast in history. She has not ruled out competing in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, further solidifying her place as an iconic figure in the sport.
