She was repeatedly raped by the team doctor...I’d say she has every right in the world to blame men for her trauma.
I don’t blame her for dropping out, a missed step on a vault could leave her paralyzed, as has happened to several elite gymnasts.
What I don’t like is praising that decision with joy and pride, rather than embarrassment or humility.
I used to work construction and often walked the top plate while framing walls or rolling rafters, one missed step from a two or three story building would’ve given me a severe injury.
There were a few times in my career when I had to tell the crew boss that I was feeling unsure about walking the top plate, and asked if I could work on another section of the site.
He usually said “yes,” but i viewed my decision with embarrassment, I didn’t trumpet it as something brave and heroic on my part.
It’s all part and parcel of our dying Republic, though...applauding weakness and loss as something noble.
What I don’t like is praising that decision with joy and pride, rather than embarrassment or humility.
Well said.
I think also it probably would've helped if Biles had given up all the social media over the past several months.
Even before she dropped out, she seemed to be awfully sensitive about what people were saying about her on Instagram, Twitter, etc. Just shut it all down and ignore it -- for a few months before/during the Olympics anyway. Focus on the task at hand.