Charlie Kirk Brands Simone Biles ‘Shame to the Country’ After Olympics Exit
Charlie Kirk #CharlieKirk
Charlie Kirk has launched a stinging attack on American gymnast Simone Biles after she withdrew from the women’s team final at the Tokyo Olympics.
The conservative activist branded the four-time Olympic gold medalist a “sociopath” and a “shame to the country” after she withdrew from the event, citing mental health issues.
“This Olympic Games, I wanted it to be for myself. I came in and I felt like I was still doing it for other people,” a tearful Biles told reporters.
“That just hurts my heart that doing what I love has been kind of taken away from me to please other people.”
Biles has received widespread support, but Kirk was unmoved by her comments.
“We are raising a generation of weak people like Simone Biles,” he told listeners to his podcast The Charlie Kirk Show. “If she’s got all these mental health problems: don’t show up.”
Simone Biles After Tokyo Olympics Withdrawal: ‘Put Mental Health First’
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He continued: “She’s an incredible athlete, of course she’s an incredible athlete, I’m not saying that—she’s probably the greatest gymnast of all time. She’s also very selfish, she’s immature and she’s a shame to the country.”
Kirk also branded Biles a sociopath over her decision.
Video: U.S. medallist surfer, softballers back Biles in promoting mental health (Reuters)
U.S. medallist surfer, softballers back Biles in promoting mental health
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“She’s totally a sociopath,” he said. “What kind of person skips the gold medal match? Who does that? It’s a shame to the nation. You just gave a gift to the Russians.”
He continued: “If you’re not ready for the big time, we’ve got thousands of young gymnasts that would love to take your place. Thousands. Simone Biles just showed the rest of the nation that when things get tough, you shatter into a million pieces.”
Before the Tokyo Games, Biles had won a total of 30 Olympic and world championship medals, including 23 golds—making her the most decorated American gymnast of all time.
The remarks by Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, stand in stark contrast with many comments from athletes and sports administrators.
Sarah Hirshland, chief executive of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee, issued a statement supporting Biles and telling her, “You’ve made us so proud.”
She added: “We applaud your decision to prioritize your mental wellness over all else and offer you the full support and resources of our Team USA community as you navigate the journey ahead.”
Former swimmer Michael Phelps, another U.S. athlete who ranks among the greatest Olympians of all time, also spoke in support of the gymnast.
“We carry a lot of things and a lot of weight on our shoulders. It’s challenging, especially when we have the lights on us and all the expectations that are being thrown on top of us,” he said.
“We’re human beings, nobody is perfect. It’s OK to not be OK. It’s OK to go through ups and downs and emotional rollercoasters.”
Since Kirk’s comments, Biles has also withdrawn from the individual all-round final.
Newsweek has reached out to Kirk for further comment.
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