Simone Biles at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 - Artistic Gymnastics - Source: Getty

"My anxiety was so bad, I couldn't stop shaking" - Simone Biles opens up on the ordeal of being stormed for photos at the Olympic Village cafeteria

Modified Aug 03, 2024 09:59 GMT

Simone Biles recently spoke about being stormed for photographs in the Olympic Village after the team arrived in France. The gymnast revealed that the incident on their first day of arrival made her anxious and she avoided going to the cafeteria altogether.

Biles has displayed spectacular performances at the 2024 Paris Olympics' women's artistic gymnastics event, which have been termed her 'redemption' after her withdrawal from the previous edition of the quadrennial Games in Tokyo. The American won the gold medal in the women's team event and the all-around after dominant performances in both events.

These two gold medals have taken her overall Olympic medal count to 9, making her the most decorated gymnast in the sport's history. Amid the Olympics, Biles took to TikTok to share a fun get-ready-with-me video with fans where she discussed a variety of topics, from competing against Rebeca Andrade to her experience in Paris.

The most decorated gymnast also spoke about the ordeal of avoiding the dining hall in the Olympic Village as it would make her anxious. Instead, she prefers buying food from the convenience store and eating it in her room.

"I haven't done much around the Olympic Village and it is because the first day we got here, and I got to the cafeteria and a lot of people were asking for photos like non-stop. Whenever I sat down to eat, my anxiety was so bad, I was shaking and I couldn't stop shaking, I was so overwhelmed," Biles said. [02:53]

"I went to the cafeteria to meet my friend yesterday. But before that, I haven't been to the cafeteria in five days. I just go to the store, stock up on food and just, like, stay here," she added.

View on TikTok

Notably, Biles has been vocal about her struggles with anxiety while competing in top competitions.

Simone Biles on her struggles with anxiety as an athlete

After withdrawing from the Tokyo Olympics, Simone Biles went on to become an advocate for young athletes' mental well-being.

Simone Biles during Artistic Gymnastics - Olympic Games Paris 2024: Day 6 - Source: Getty

Biles has said on the subject (via Gymnastics Now):

"We're always on a timeline with injuries. So, whenever it's a mental injury or a physical injury that you're going through, like, that with depression and anxiety, and nobody can give you a timeline, it feels like it's never-ending."

Biles will be in action in the women's vault final at the Paris Olympics on August 3, 2024 at 10:20 am ET.