Twisties, Torn ACLs, and Kidney Woes: How Simone, Rebeca, and Suni Flipped Their Way to Olympic Glory
In the city of love and legendary pastries, the women’s all-around gymnastics event at the Paris 2024 Olympics delivered a performance so rich in feel-good vibes that a Hollywood screenwriter could have scripted it.
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Picture this: a gold medalist who has tangoed with mental illness and the twisties, a silver medalist who’s had more knee surgeries than some folks have had birthdays, and a bronze medalist who flipped her way to victory while battling two kidney diseases.
Check your pulse if that doesn’t make you want to stand up and cheer.
Let’s start at the top with Simone Biles, the queen of gymnastics and of overcoming life’s curveballs. The twisties—those nasty little gremlins that make gymnasts lose their sense of space mid-air, forced Biles to step back at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Fast forward to Paris, and Biles is not just back; she’s better than ever, reclaiming her throne with a floor routine that left jaws on the floor.
In the silver medal spotlight, we have Rebeca Andrade, Brazil’s very own Wonder Woman. Andrade has more than earned her superhero status, with three ACL tears in four years—each one a potential career-ender. Instead of hanging up her leotard, Andrade turned her recovery into a comeback saga. Andrade’s routine in Paris was so good it made you forget she’s been through more knee rehab than anyone should ever endure.
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Bringing home the bronze was Suni Lee, who was diagnosed with two incurable kidney diseases in 2023. Lee’s journey back to the Olympics was like climbing Everest without oxygen. She had to drop out of college, endure medication side effects that included rapid weight gain, and battle the crushing fatigue of her illness. Yet, there she was in Paris, flipping and flying with a tenacity that would make Rocky Balboa approve.
With their Herculean battles, these three women stood together on the podium, showing the world what true strength looks like.
Simone Biles' mental health journey has been a powerful narrative. By publicly addressing her struggles and taking a step back when she needed to, Biles shattered the stigma around mental health, showing that strength comes not just from physical valor but from the courage to prioritize one’s mental well-being.
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Rebeca Andrade’s story is one of sheer determination. Three ACL tears could have sidelined her forever, but instead, she turned each setback into an opportunity set up for a comeback. Her silver medal is a shiny reminder that sometimes, the road to victory is paved with scars, and boy, did she earn every ounce of that silver.
Suni Lee’s battle with kidney disease and her journey back to the gym and onto the Olympic stage are beacons of hope for anyone facing seemingly insurmountable challenges.
So, here’s to Simone, Rebeca, and Suni—the queens of the mat, beam, bars, vault, and, most importantly, human spirit. Their stories remind us that no matter the obstacles, with enough determination and resilience, we can all find a way to flip the script and stick the landing.