“The problem is the desire for the public to hold up performing artists and athletes as paragons of perfection and then punish them when they are anything less.”
Kareem Abdul Jabbar
I’ve been reflecting on the public reaction to Simone Biles withdrawal from the Tokyo Olympics and the usual binary responses when an athlete makes a decision about their health; variations on “I support her and she is brave” vs “What has she got to be stressed about? She’s letting the team down”
Just 36-months ago, Larry Nassar was convicted to 175-years, and Ms Biles spoke out about the trauma she faced after being sexually abused by the USA Team Doctor just this month.
Yet, still, the abusive comments to a sexual assault survivor, a woman of colour and a professional athlete follow a disappointing pattern whenever health is put above performing.
We’re poorly placed to personally understand the immense pressures on professional athletes and performers – both internally and externally – and too many of us are quick to offer little more than dismission.
Until it’s too late…
