Simone Biles has challenged the unspoken rule of staying silent after someone’s death. Just days after conservative commentator Charlie Kirk’s passing, she published a blog post reflecting on how his harsh criticism affected her during the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.

Back then, Biles withdrew from events due to the dangerous “twisties,” choosing mental health over competition. Kirk labeled her actions as “unpatriotic and weak.” In her blog, Biles revealed the lasting pain these remarks caused, saying the attacks took a heavy emotional toll.

Her decision to speak now has divided opinion. Some praise it as “a powerful moment of reclaiming her narrative and standing up for mental health.” Others argue the timing is inappropriate, believing critique after death “risks appearing insensitive.”

The controversy highlights broader questions about how society treats athletes’ vulnerability. Biles’s choice underscores a cultural shift where silence is no longer the only acceptable response to pain, even during moments of loss.

In sharing her truth, Biles adds another layer to her public identity—not only as a decorated gymnast but as someone unafraid to confront uncomfortable realities.