https://www.11alive.com/article/sports/olympics/kerri-strugs-iconic-1996-olympic-moment-in-new-light-after-simone-biles-exit/85-5993cd43-c1ca-48cf-b726-57c4c6c70881
Pretty great reality check for those of us who remember Kerri Strug's 1996 performance in which she was reduced to using one leg and was still "encouraged," (forced) to go out and finish - which she did in agony.
I remember being in awe of it when it happened. But ... to the author's point ... now that I'm a parent, I feel a lot differently. A lot.
Biles said she made the announcement to protect her mind and body, rather than "just go out there and do what the world wants."
An Idaho father wrote a Facebook post commending Biles' decision to step down, saying the Olympic moment has made her an "even better example to our daughters."
"Our athletes shouldn't have to destroy themselves to meet our standards. If giving empathetic, authentic support to our Olympians means we'll earn less gold medals, I'm happy to make that trade," Byron Heath wrote in the post.
Heath said he once was excited watching Strug's famous one-leg vault, but on Tuesday he wasn't as inspired after re-watching the gymnastics champion along with his daughters as she landed her second vault and crumbled in tears and agony.