'The Olympics is overwhelming': Michael Phelps says he can relate to Simone Biles' situation in Tokyo
![Portrait of Tyler Dragon](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2022/06/15/USAT/b9368197-a5ff-4e6b-8692-6c96c722b748-USAT_headshot.jpg?crop=3023,3023,x0,y0&width=48&height=48&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
TOKYO â Michael Phelps is uniquely qualified when it comes to being a face of the Olympics and the effect that can have psychologically on an athlete.
The four-time Olympian battled anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts throughout his Olympic swimming career. He eventually overcame his mental health struggle by seeking out professional help.
The 28-time Olympic medalist has since been a huge advocate for mental health. In 2010, he launched the Michael Phelps Foundation, which teaches kids to be healthy and active. Heâs also on the board of Medibio, a company focused on the diagnosis of mental health disorder.
When Phelps found out four-time Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles withdrew from Tuesdayâs gymnastics team competition in Tokyo, citing mental health, it touched the former swimmerâs heart.
âIt broke my heart. But also, if you look at it, mental health over the last 18 months, is something that people are talking about,â Phelps said to NBCâs Mike Tirico.
2024 Paris Olympics: Follow USA TODAYâs coverage of the biggest names and stories of the Games.
MORE:Simone Biles will not compete in gymnastics all-around final at Tokyo Olympics
NANCY ARMOUR:Simone Biles' decision to withdraw in team event at Olympics sends powerful message about
MIKE FREEMAN:Simone Biles did the right thing at Olympics; she's allowed to protect herself
Similar to Phelps in previous Olympics, Biles entered Tokyo with enormous expectations. She is one of the faces of the Tokyo Olympics and is the undisputed leader of the U.S. womenâs gymnastics team. Her withdrawal from the team competition sent shockwaves around the world.
Competing without Biles, the U.S. womenâs team went on to place second in the team final. The Russian Olympic Committee won gold and the British team finished third.
âI truly do feel like I have the weight of the world on my shoulders at times. I know I brush it off and make it seem like pressure doesnât affect me but damn sometimes itâs hard,â Biles posted on Instagram following the gymnastics team competition. âThe Olympics is no joke!â
Phelps explained why he can relate to Bilesâ sentiments. The pressure to be a gold medalist was an immense burden for him, too.
âThe Olympics is overwhelming. There are a lot of emotions that go into it. I can talk about this for an hour. The easiest way for me to say it is I think athletes, and Olympic athletes in general, we need someone who we can trust. Somebody who can let us be ourselves, listen and allow us to become vulnerable. Somebody who is not gonna come try to fix us,â Phelps said. âWe carry a lot of things and a lot of weight on our shoulders. Itâs challenging, especially when we have the lights on us and all the expectations that are being thrown on top of us.
âWeâre human beings, nobody is perfect. Itâs ok to not be ok. Itâs ok to go through ups and downs and emotional roller coasters ... I felt like I was carrying, as Simone (Biles) said, the weight of the world on my shoulders. Itâs a tough situation.â
Phelps said he hopes all the attention surrounding Bilesâ exit from the team competition can serve as a teachable moment and raise awareness for mental health.
âI hope this is an eye-opening experience, I really do. I hope this is an opportunity for us to jump on board and to even blow this mental health thing even more wide open. It is so much bigger than we could even ever imagine,â Phelps said. âThis is something thatâs gonna take a lot of time, a lot of hard work and people who are willing to help.â