Pop star and Christian Justin Bieber has posted a message on Instagram supporting the athlete Simone Biles, who withdrew from Olympic events due to her mental health.
The singer referenced Matthew 16:26 (among other places) in his post.
Bieber wrote: "nobody will ever understand the pressures you face! I know we don’t know each other but I’m so proud of the decision to withdraw. It’s as simple as
- what does it mean to gain the whole world but forfeit your soul. Sometimes our no’s are more powerful than our yes’s. When what you normally love starts to steal your joy it’s important we take a step back to evaluate why.
"People thought I was crazy for not finishing the purpose tour but it was the best thing I could have done for my mental health!! So proud of you @simonebiles"
Justin Bieber, who is married to model Hailey Bieber (formerly Baldwin), is often open about his Christian faith on social media and posts pictures of church or with famous pastors.
The gymnast Simone Biles has withdrawn from Monday’s women’s floor final at the Tokyo Olympics.
It follows the 24-year-old’s decision to pull out of the all-around final and the individual finals in vault and uneven bars.
In a brief statement, USA Gymnastics said: “Simone has withdrawn from the event final for floor and will make a decision on beam later this week. Either way, we’re all behind you, Simone.”
Biles’ withdrawal from the floor final means Great Britain’s Jennifer Gadirova, who was the first reserve after last week’s qualification process, joins her twin sister Jessica in the eight-athlete field.
The American is still scheduled to compete in the beam final on Wednesday, although any further appearance at the Tokyo Games must now be in serious doubt.
Biles was a vocal presence in the Ariake Arena when cheering her team-mate Sunisa Lee to all-around gold on Friday.
On Saturday she explained on social media that she is enduring a phenomenon known as ‘twisting’, which essentially afflicts a gymnast’s spatial awareness.
The four-time defending Olympic champion wrote: “It has never transferred to bars and beam for me. This time it’s literally in every event which sucks.
“(You) literally cannot tell up from down. It’s the craziest feeling ever, not having an inch of control over your body.”
