Time Magazine Rewards Simone Athlete Of The Year Award For His Attitude At The Tokyo Olympics

Simone Biles (Instagram @simonebile)

JAKARTA - Four Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles received the "Athlete of the Year" award from Time magazine.

The 24-year-old gymnast traveled to this year's Olympics determined to re-set the record, but instead brought about a groundbreaking, global conversation around athletes' mental health.

He withdrew from the opening match in Tokyo, citing concerns for his mental health and a case of "twisties," a frightening and dangerous form of mental disorientation while completing one of the gravity-defying jumps.

Biles then returned to competition, winning a bronze medal in the balance beam event after gaining support from his fellow athletes in gymnastics, even broadly.

"It shows us that we are more than just a sport, that we are human beings who can also have difficult days," team-mate Sunisa Lee told Time.

"It really humanizes us."

As levels of anxiety and depression skyrocket and many people struggle with getting what they want against what others are demanding of them, Time sees Biles being able to explain the importance of prioritizing oneself and refusing to give in to external expectations.

"I believe everything happens for a reason, and there is a purpose," Biles told Time. "I can not only use my voice, but also validated."

"With the eyes of the world on him, he took the extraordinary step of saying: I've had enough. I've had enough," Time wrote in an Instagram post announcing the athlete of the year award for Biles.