I would imagine not everyone who has dared to criticize Biles for quitting is doing so out of sheer disregard for her health, or because they're habitual armchair wannabes. I imagine some people out there are just used to seeing athletes push themselves to compete even when they're not 100%, and faced with the certain specter of defeat. The fact that elite level gymnastics is a sport that can render you critically injured with one mishap, is probably unknown to some critics, many of whom again, do not wish ill on Biles or any athlete.

If Biles pulled out of the team competition due to mental issues and basically the fear that she could be seriously injured performing one of her mind-boggling feats... then IMO the right thing would be to withdraw from competition at these Olympics altogether. Which is probably what she has done. Once given the facts about the sport, I seriously doubt there's anyone out there still thinking of her as a quitter or anything of the sort.

There are, however, instances when an athlete just gives up and decides it's just not worth it... inciting the anger and disappointment of the fans. Boxing had its own "no más" with the great Roberto Duran. He was horribly criticized even among Panamanian fans, and with just cause. Fortunately he came back from that. Other athletes have just "quit" in mid-competition, and just "mailed it in." Having been exposed to that, fans tend to be a bit sensitive to the word "quit."

The following article does a pretty job explaining some of the technicalities that go along with being a world-class gymnast, and the jitters they go though.

https://edition.cnn.com/2021/07/28/u...lth/index.html