“Celebrate Winning…Not Quitting”- Piers Morgan Slams Simone Biles ‘Athlete of the Year 2021’ Win

Simone Biles recently received a huge addition to her many accolades this year after being named TIME’s Athlete of the Year. The gymnast truly did break ground in the mental health discussion and has played a pivotal role in addressing it after the Tokyo Olympics. 

‘The GOAT’ has made mental health an open discussion, contrary to its previous nature, and has encouraged other athletes to step forward and treat it as a serious issue. She has won the support of other big names such as Michael Phelps, Justin Bieber, and Taylor Swift in the process.

TOKYO, JAPAN – AUGUST 03: Simone Biles of Team United States poses with the bronze medal during the Women’s Balance Beam Final medal ceremony on day eleven of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Ariake Gymnastics Centre on August 03, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

However, not all necessarily agree with how much of a spotlight she has received since Tokyo. Piers Morgan for one did not hold back in blasting the decision to bestow the ‘Athlete of the Year’ award upon her.

“Ridiculous. We should celebrate winning in sport – not quitting,” the broadcaster wrote in a tweet. “‘Athlete of the Year’ for someone who quit on her team so they lost, then recovered in time to compete in her solo event a few days later? Pur-lease,” he continued, replying to a fan. 

Ridiculous. We should celebrate winning in sport – not quitting. https://t.co/sYbaY6WtdX

— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) December 9, 2021

Simone Biles is not the only one Piers Morgan has critiqued

Piers Morgan is known for his fair share of straightforward opinions, but the Englishman received a huge amount of backlash for his take on Biles. Characteristically, he has not deleted the tweet or retracted his statement but has defended it instead. 

The journalist also garnered attention from his own countrymen after openly snubbing a bronze medal as an achievement during the Tokyo Olympics. This came in response to a social media row with English soccer legend Gary Lineker over the relevance of a pandemic-era Olympics.

“Nobody cares about these covid-ravaged Olympics,” he wrote in the initial tweet. “I feel incredibly sorry for all the athletes still trying to live their Olympic dream, but that is the harsh reality. And the great champions like Adam Peaty know it. It should have been either further postponed or canceled.”

In response to Lineker disagreeing with him, Morgan wrote:

“It’s great to see Team Great Britain athletes win Gold medals, not least so we can stop pretending Bronze is an achievement worthy of national celebration. But let’s be honest – these Olympics are just not the same without fans.”

Jugs, you find opening a crisp packet uplifting & inspiring. It’s great to see @TeamGB athletes win Gold medals, not least so we can stop pretending Bronze is an achievement worthy of national celebration, but let’s be honest – these Olympics are just not the same without fans. https://t.co/oPHVV5UBMa

— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) July 26, 2021

The silence of fans in the stands had its own impact- the softer voices were finally heard. Through Simone Biles’, the world has now become more receptive to a crippling issue for athletes which will pave the path for a healthier competition, physically and mentally. 

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