Entertainment
Matt Damon shares support for Simone Biles as she pulls out of Olympics: ‘We’re all with her’
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web
browser that
supports HTML5
video
Matt Damon has shared his support for Simone Biles after she pulled out of the women’s artistic gymnastics final in the Tokyo Olympics.
The 24-year-old, who is the USA’s most-successful gymnast, withdrew due to concerns over her mental health, after recording the lowest score on the vault of her entire Olympic career.
Speaking of the news on tonight’s instalment of the One Show, the Good Will Hunting actor insisted that America is ‘with her’ over the decision.
Promoting his new film, Stillwater, Matt told hosts Alex Jones and Jermaine Jenas: ‘Well I don’t know if I can predict how news will be received across the country. I mean she is so loved though. I just heard this myself, I was just told that she pulled out.
‘Look, I have a daughter her age, the amount of pressure that’s put on all of these athletes but particularly her, is more than I think I’ve ever seen anyone put under. I just get into a protective crouch, because I think of my own kids and I just really hope she’s okay.
‘She’ll be fine. She is beloved, America loves that woman so we’re all with her.’
Matt Damon shared his support for Simone Biles over her Olympics exit (Picture: BBC)
Matt also explained that he hadn’t been able to keep up with the tournament, which kicked off recently, due to work commitments, but had tuned into a few events.
‘Well, I’ve kind of been on the hamster wheel promoting Stillwater so I haven’t had as much time to watch as I normally do,’ he said.
‘I saw the basketball game the other day, and a little bit of kayaking, that’s about all I’ve seen so far.’
Simone confirmed the news of her exit on Tuesday, emphasising that she needed to prioritise her mental wellbeing.
‘I have to focus on my mental health,’ she said. ’I just think mental health is more prevalent in sports right now, we have to protect our minds and our bodies and not just go out and do what the world wants us to do.
Simone announced her withdrawal from the competition (Picture: AFP)
‘There were a couple of days when everybody tweets you and you feel the weight of the world.
‘We’re not just athletes, we’re people at the end of the day and sometimes you just have to step back.
‘I didn’t want to go out and do something stupid and get hurt. I feel like a lot of athletes speaking up has really helped.
‘It’s so big, it’s the Olympic Games, at the end of the day we don’t want to be carried out of there on a stretcher.
‘You have to be there 100 per cent or 120 per cHowever, after seeing Biles, the most successful US gymnast of all time, withdraw, with reserve Jordan Chiles stepping up) Piers chimed in with his two cents.
More: TV
Piers Morgan later added his own thoughts on the situation, which comes just hours after he ranted about bronze and silver medalists.
Taking to Twitter, he fumed: ‘Are “mental health issues” now the go-to excuse for any poor performance in elite sport? What a joke.
‘Just admit you did badly, made mistakes, and will strive to do better next time.
‘Kids need strong role models not this nonsense.’
The One Show continues on weekdays, at 7pm, on BBC One.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
