US Champion Gymnast – Simone Biles , Admits To Undergoing Treatment For Mental Disorder

Earning four additional gold medals in the Rio 2016 Olympics is enough to make Simone Biles an American role model. The gymnast is beyond talented and incredibly determined. Yet there’s another reason the 19-year-old is admirable. After her medical records were leaked online, she decided to clear the air in a straightforward, honest way. Recently, Biles opened up about having ADHD (Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a psychiatric disorder of the neurodevelopmental type. It characterized by problems paying attention, excessive activity, or difficulty controlling behavior which is not appropriate for a person’s age.) and in doing so, showed it’s nothing to be ashamed of. She turned an invasion of privacy into a teachable moment — and she should get another gold medal for that move. She tweeted,

“I have ADHD and I have taken medication for it since I was a kid. Please know, I believe in clean sport, have always followed the rules, and will continue to do so as fair play is critical to sport and is very important to me.’
Well I think Biles is absolutely right — ADHD is nothing to be ashamed of. It also isn’t a reason to question or doubt her abilities in gymnastics. To recap, the World Anti-Doping Agency’s database was broken into by Russian hackers . They then leaked medical information for several female Olympic athletes not just Biles, but Serena and Venus Williams as well. The hackers found that Biles tested positive for methylphenidate in numerous tests, but this was cleared by doctors, given her noted condition of ADHD.

The International Gymnastics Federation approved her taking the drug. On top of that, the USA Gymnastics Twitter account posted a statement defending her following the leak. “Simone has filed the proper paperwork per USADA and WADA requirements, and there is no violation,” wrote Steve Penny, president of USA Gymnastics.

While the hackers were likely trying to invalidate Biles’ accomplishments, they ultimately failed. If anything, they proved just how strong not only physically, but also mentally she is.

As if I didn’t already have a ton of respect for Biles as an athlete, she just proved who she is as a human-being. Plus, it’s pretty cool that any children who may have ADHD themselves have a new role model, proving the condition doesn’t have to get in the way of their dreams.