“You Don’t Have To Win”: Simone Biles Receives a Powerful Message From Gymnastics Legend Nastia Liukin After Viral Powerade Ad

As the athletes prepare for the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics, global brands are actively gearing up with unique marketing strategies. And one of the first in competition is Coca-Cola’s Powerade. Back in 2020, Simone Biles surprised everyone when she withdrew from the Tokyo Olympics because of twisties and “decided to take a pause” to prioritize her mental health. Her move inspired Powerade to come up with the campaign “Pause is Power” and got her on board for the second time.

Nastia Liukin shared a heartfelt message for Simone Biles after Biles withdrew from both the women’s team final and the individual all-around at the Tokyo Summer Olympics. Liukin praised Biles for showcasing her multifaceted identity beyond athletics, applauding her as a leader, role model, and mental health advocate who sets an example for future generations of athletes.

“Thank you for helping the world realize that prioritizing your physical and mental health is the mark of a true champion,” she continued. “Thank you for illuminating that nobody is defined by the depth of their trophy case and that you don’t owe anything to anyone but yourself and the pursuit of happiness.” Liukin’s words emphasized Biles’ impact on creating a safer environment for athletes to be authentic and prioritize their well-being.Mental health influences the way athletes think, feel, and act. According to a report by Athletes For Hope in 2019, it reported that around 46 million people living in the US suffer from mental health crises, and among them, 35% are elite athletes. Even Coca-Cola understood the importance of this and created the campaign ahead of the Olympics and got Biles on board for the second time for the same purpose.

Simone Biles wants people to be kinder to themselves
Simone Biles featured in the debut of the “Pause is Power” campaign last year, which had a more light-hearted tone. With the growing pressure and competition in sports, Coca-Cola drew inspiration from how gymnasts deal with mental health and physical fitness. The brand drew inspiration from how Biles took up the challenge and set an example for them.