"Simone Biles struggled, she pretty much had a meltdown": When gymnast's mother Nellie spoke of her reaction to 2014 World Championships' heroics

Simone Biles' mother Nellie Biles spoke about how the gymnast struggled to cope with her accomplishments at the 2014 World Championships in Nanning. She said that her daughter had an emotional breakdown upon realising the significance of her exploits.

Biles was just a teenager during the 2014 World Championships but had a terrific outing, winning four golds. The American won the all-around, balance beam and floor exercise events, while also being part of the team that won the team event. This happened a year after her World Championships debut in Antwerp, where she won two golds, a silver and a bronze.

Following her early success, Simone Biles' parents hosted a celebration at their house and invited her teammates, family, and friends. Reflecting on the party, her mother said that it was at this time that she had a meltdown upon realizing the magnitude of her victory.

"The magnitude of what had happened didn't hit her until that party, and she struggled with it. She pretty much had a meltdown. It was too much stimulation and too many people telling her how great she was. And that's when she asked if she could see Robert (Andrews) again," Nellie Biles said, as quoted by Texas Monthly.

Robert Andrews is Biles' former mental health trainer, who worked with her until 2017.

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Simone Biles on dealing with fame

Simone Biles at Artistic Gymnastics - Olympic Games Paris 2024: Day 10 - Source: Getty

Despite facing numerous challenges on and off the mat, Simone Biles gave an outstanding performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics, once again dominating the floor.

The 27-year-old clinched four medals, including three golds and a silver, during the current games. Her significant contribution to the team final made the US Team win gold.

Reflecting on the rising fame, Biles shared:

"It still blows my mind everywhere we go that somebody recognizes me because, to me, I'm just still Simone. And I try to be as normal as possible. and I truly believe I am. I feel like I have a pretty good level head. So if I wasn't Simone, I do everything that I want to do. Just sometimes, it takes a little bit more security or stuff. " (olympics.com)

She further added:

"But sometimes it is scary, because everybody knows me, and I don't know everybody. But yeah, it's just kind of weird. "

She believes it's an honor to represent the United States in the games.