More On:

simone biles

Texas official sorry after calling Simone Biles ‘national embarrassment’

New American star emerges winning gold in gymnastics

Simone Biles addresses fans in new statement after Olympics exit

Olympics Day 6: Who steps up for Simone Biles

Simone Biles’ sponsors have vaulted to her side in a show of support following her contentious decision to skip the Olympics gymnastics competition and focus on her mental health.

The four-time gold medalist in April signed up with Gap’s Athleta brand for a new apparel partnership, ending an almost six-year deal with Nike.

On Wednesday, Athleta chief brand officer Kyle Andrew told CNN Business that the sports apparel company stands by the 24-year-old athlete and supports her well-being “both in and out of competition.”

In an email, he said: “Being the best also means knowing how to take care of yourself. We are inspired by her leadership today and are behind her every step of the way.”

When she announced her decision to join Athleta, Biles wrote on Instagram that she wanted to partner with a brand that shares her “passion to help girls rise and own their limitless potential.”

“They are committed to diversity and inclusion, which was really important for me to see in a partner,” she said.

Visa, another of her sponsors, recognized Biles’ “incredibly brave decision,” senior VP of Global Sponsorship Strategy Andrea Fairchild said, according to CNN Business, adding that her decision shows how she “is able to inspire both on and off the mat.”

The superstar gymnast is one of the 102 Olympic athletes Visa sponsors in conjunction with its Team Visa program.

“We wish her well in the days ahead,” Fairchild said.

Core Power, a protein shake brand, said on Twitter that Biles is “showing us all that her courage and strength extend well beyond the mat.”

“We’re in awe of you today and every day,” the company added Wednesday along with a goat emoji – referring to GOAT, or greatest of all time.

The company told CNN Business it has partnered with Biles for the last six years and that she has been one of its brand ambassadors since 2016.   

“We’ve supported her physical recovery with Core Power protein shakes, and as a company we unequivocally support her full and complete health,” Core Power told the news outlet.

Team USA sponsor United Airlines also praised the high-flying gymnast.

“We have huge admiration for Simone Biles — not just for her world-class talent on the mat, but more importantly for the individual she is every day,” the carrier told CNN Business in an email.

“We’ve been proud to partner with her for years and continue to support her,” it added.

Snacks giant Nabisco similarly said it was “proud to support Simone Biles today and every day,” while Uber Eats – which featured her in its “Tonight I’ll be eating” commercials last year — said it also stands by her.

“She has shown true strength both inside and outside of the gym, setting an incredible example for athletes around the world,” it said, according to CNN.

Biles bowed out of team competition Tuesday, claiming she was in good physical health, but overwhelmed by the emotional toll of expectations associated with being considered the most prominent Olympic athlete.

Biles also pulled out of Thursday’s all-around competition but not yet indicated whether she will compete in individual events next week.

On Thursday, she sat in the stands with Grace McCallum, Jordan Chiles and MyKayla Skinner to support American teammates Suni Lee and Jade Carey in the all-around final.

Lee went on to capture the gold, emerging as the latest US gymnastics star as she edged out Brazil’s Rebeca Andrade, who took silver.

Share this article:

Source: Read Full Article