A Little Theory About Simone Biles' Mental Health

As a wannabe Olympic reporter accredited for but not in Tokyo, I've been percolating on an Olympic gymnastics theory -- specific to Simone Biles -- since the Olympic champion's decision to exit the team all-around competition. 

After running this notion by friends for a pre-post sniff test, I'm now interested in additional perspectives. Please read then share yours with a comment.  

It's not as "out there" as The Onion's hilarious initial take.

Biles obviously captivated the media along her road to Tokyo. I lost count of the cover stories predicting her competitive dominance. 

Some articles mentioned she also captivated the attention of her boyfriend, NFL player Jonathan Owens, just before and since the start to the pandemic. The couple earned a Good Housekeeping "Seal of Approval" of sorts in this fresh story since Biles' Tuesday announcement.

So, think about it. Biles and Owens, obviously in love, but facing a few weeks apart as she travelled solo to Tokyo. How would many couples spend their last private hours together after a nice meal or some Netflix and chill?

See where this is going?

My theory: Simon Biles could be pregnant. 

Team USA celebration in 2016. Photo: N. Wolaver

The theory explained further: She got the news only hours before competing but after qualifying for the team all-around final. What other life-changing news might send anyone into an array of strong emotions or mental considerations?

Further still: Biles does not want to share this private news with the world. She may not even be ready to share it with Owens. 

And Team USA doctors are working -- one day and training session at a time -- to be sure its safe both mentally and physically for Biles (with baby on board?) to leap, tumble, jump and do all those other things Biles does to further affirm her GOAT status in her sport. 

Biles would not be the first pregnant Olympian. According to Olympedia, 22 women competed with child, some knowingly with others oblivious to the bundles of joy witnessing their mother's five-ringed feats with an insider perspective. 

My theory is rooted in a prior interaction with a pregnant Team USA Olympian. A few days before the London 2012 Opening Ceremonies, I helped some colleagues at a 24 Hour Fitness press event in East London to open a private training center for Team USA, and Kerri Walsh Jennings was a paid spokesperson at the event. A broadcast outlet asked her to "show us your abs" and I was standing beside the reporter and Walsh Jennings for the flash of her belly, inspiring a premonition and question in my mind, "Has anyone competed in Olympic beach volleyball while pregnant?" 

Pregnant? Yes. Five weeks.

No one questioned Walsh Jennings on this topic in the moment, but weeks after she won gold in London she disclosed her five-weeks pregnant status from the previous ab flash photo opp.

Four years later, anyone listening closely to the 2016 ESPN documentary can clearly hear me asking Walsh Jennings about her London 2012 pregnancy during her Q&A session at the Team USA Media Summit. These combined experiences for me as an Olympic writer are the foundation of my Biles pregnancy theory. 

How say you, Olympic, gymnastics and Biles fans? 

Whether right or wrong about this theory, wishing Biles and her teammates all the best for continued success in Tokyo! And there's no theorizing to concur: Biles is GOAT in her sport. 

Image credits: Leaping photo by Danielle Parhizkaran-USA Today Network; Sports Illustrated cover photo by Kate Powers; photo of 2016 gymnasts at Team USA celebration in Washington, D.C., by Nicholas Wolaver; cheering Biles photo via The Onion; Walsh Jennings photo via this page.