Science is Fun Fridays!

 

Simone Biles is a force of nature, defying gravity as she flies through the air.  She has moves named after her and has the most World medals of any gymnast.

But even the greatest can suffer.

Expectations were high, so when she came off the vault doing less rotations than planned, there was immediate concern.  Shortly after, she withdrew from competition citing mental health.

What happened is something gymnasts call "the twisties."  When you're spinning in the air, you have to be able to know where the ground is and where you are in rotation.  If you lose your sense of space and dimension, you can lose control of your body. 

In that case, Simone is lucky to have landed safely at all.

To recognize that danger and not push herself to compete further only proves that she is the GOAT.  Greatness is something to strive for, but not sacrifice yourself for.

If you're not 100% physically and mentally well, gymnastics is an especially risky sport to engage in.

Here is she pulling off the Yurchenko double pike, the first time a woman ever completed the skill on vault.

Science

BBC