In a recent controversy, Simone Biles expressed strong disapproval towards Brittney Griner, suggesting that Griner’s actions have brought shame to those who support American Olympic athletes. The incident in question revolves around Griner kneeling during the national anthem, a gesture meant to protest racial injustice and promote social awareness. However, Biles criticized this action, arguing that such behavior disrespects the values of representing one’s country, especially on an international stage like the Olympics.

Griner’s stance, which mirrors similar protests by other athletes, including Colin Kaepernick, has polarized public opinion. Supporters argue that kneeling is a peaceful and powerful way to bring attention to critical social issues. They see Griner as a courageous advocate for equality and justice, using her platform to voice concerns about systemic racism and discrimination. This support is rooted in the belief that athletes have a responsibility to use their visibility to effect positive change, even if it means challenging societal norms.

Conversely, critics, including Biles, feel that such protests are inappropriate during national events and can be seen as unpatriotic. Biles emphasized that representing the United States comes with the responsibility to uphold and respect the nation’s symbols and traditions. She suggested that Griner’s actions might be divisive and could potentially harm the unity and morale of the Olympic team. The gymnast’s comments reflect a broader debate about the role of athletes in social and political activism, and whether personal beliefs should impact one’s eligibility to represent their country.

The controversy also touches on Griner’s recent return to the U.S. after being detained in Russia on drug charges, which added a complex layer to her public image. While her release was celebrated by many, her actions and political stances have continued to draw scrutiny. Kid Rock, a musician known for his conservative views, publicly criticized Griner, asserting that those who do not respect America should not have the privilege of representing it. Griner responded by reaffirming her commitment to advocating for justice and equality, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by activists.

This incident underscores a significant cultural divide in the United States regarding the intersection of sports, patriotism, and activism. It raises essential questions about the extent to which athletes should express their personal convictions, especially when they represent their country on an international platform. The debate also touches on broader issues of free expression, the role of public figures in political discourse, and the boundaries of acceptable protest.

As the Olympics approach, the U.S. Olympic Committee and other governing bodies may face pressure to address these issues. They will need to balance respecting athletes’ rights to free expression with maintaining the integrity and unity of the national team. The outcome of this controversy could have lasting implications for future U.S. delegations and the role of athlete activism in sports.

Simone Biles’ call for Griner to potentially be excluded from the Olympic team sets a noteworthy precedent. It highlights the tensions between personal beliefs and national representation, and the challenges athletes face in navigating their public roles. This situation serves as a reminder of the powerful influence athletes wield in shaping public opinion and driving social change, as well as the complexities involved in balancing individual rights with collective responsibilities.

Getty Simone Biles fell on the balance beam.

After Olympic gymnast Simone Biles fell on the balance beam during competition on August 5 in Paris, France, she expressed concerns about the crowd’s “shushing” behavior, according to CNN.

Video shows Biles losing her footing and falling off the beam.

After the fall, while waiting for her score, Biles “appeared frustrated with the crowd,” BBC reported. According to CNN, Biles later called out the “shushing from the crowd” as an issue for gymnasts.

According to CNN, Biles noted the “silence in the arena – marked by some shushing from the crowd when the gymnasts tried to cheer on their teammates” during the beam performance.

“I don’t know. It was really weird and awkward,” Biles said, according to CNN. “And we’ve asked several times if we can have some music or some background noise, so I’m not really sure what happened there. But yeah, not our favorite. None of us liked it.”

According to the Mirror, while she waited for her score, Biles appeared to vent frustration at the crowd, saying, “Stop shushing, why are they shushing,” leading BBC’s on-air broadcaster Craig Heap to say, “Simone is not happy at all. It just goes to show she is a human being. All the other ladies in that final have made mistakes. She’s not invincible.” WalesOnline quoted Heap as also saying, “I have never seen Simone Biles so angry in my life. Something has gone on there.”

Gymnastics Now reported a fuller quote from Biles on the topic:

Beam final is always the most stressful, but usually we have, like, music or background noise, whatever that may be. And honestly, we do better in environments when there’s noise going on, because it feels most like practice. So today, like, you can hear some of the Android ringtones going off, the photo clickers, whatever that was, and so, you know, trying to stay in your zone. And then people start cheering, and then the shushing gets louder. So really, they should be shushed because they’re louder. I don’t know. It was really weird and awkward. And we’ve asked several times if we can have some music or some background noise. So I am not really sure what happened there, but yeah, not our favorite. None of us liked it.

Fellow U.S. gymnast Suni Lee, who also fell on the beam, agreed the shushing was an issue, saying, according to CNN, “It was a lot of pressure. It was just crazy to see how everybody was going down like that. You could feel the tension in the room. The crowd shushing us for cheering. We didn’t like that as it was just so silent in there. I love hearing my teammates cheer for me.”

The Rare Fall for Simone Biles Took Her Out of Medal Contention for Balance Beam

GettySimone Biles of Team United States reacts after falling while competing during the Artistic Gymnastics Women’s Balance Beam Final on day ten of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Bercy Arena on August 05, 2024, in Paris, France.

The New York Post called the fall “rare” for Biles, which led to a 13.100 score on the apparatus. According to People Magazine, Lee, also of the USA Team, also fell on the balance beam, robbing both Biles and Lee of medals in that event.

Biles’ fall came toward the end of her routine.

Biles had already won the gold medal in Paris in the women’s all-around, women’s team, and vault competitions, according to Olympics.com. She placed fifth on the balance beam due to the fall and second on the floor exercise, earning a silver medal for the latter, the site reported.

According to Olympics.com, despite the fall, Biles is “the most decorated gymnast in history.”

Simone Biles Struck a Positive Note After the Fall, Saying She Was ‘Pretty Proud of Myself’ for Her Olympic Performance Overall

Getty USA’s Simone Biles performs on the balance beam during the women’s all-around final of gymnastics competition at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Biles struck a positive tone with reporters after the fall, CNN reported.

“I accomplished way more than my wildest dreams – not just at this Olympics, but in this sport,” Biles told reporters, according to CNN. “So I can’t be mad at my performances. A couple years ago, I didn’t think I’d be back here at an Olympic Games, so competing and then walking away with four medals, I’m not mad about it. I’m pretty proud of myself.”

Many people on social media praised Biles despite the fall.

“Simone Biles’ fall off the beam is a reminder that the strongest can falter and that’s just human” a woman wrote on X.

Another person wrote, “@Simone_Biles has shown us: You can’t judge people’s strength when they fall. Their fortitude is visible when they rise again. Resilience is not about how quickly you bounce back-it’s about how you recover.”

However, another person wrote on X, “You’re a talented gymnast but the rolling of the eyes at the audience because you failed on beam was uncalled for.”

Wrote another person, “Other than the fall Simone Biles did unreal. can’t blame the audience for that though, gotta take it on the chin.”

“For reference Simone biles didn’t get shushed by the audience it’s because her American fans were cheering and that’s considered rude in Europe,” another person wrote on X.