London, July 29: Indian cricket team's head coach Ravi Shastri is amongst those who have offered support to the four-time Olympic gold-medallist US gymnast Simone Biles after she pulled out of the team and individual events at the ongoing Tokyo Olympics citing mental health concerns.
Shastri joined the sporting fraternity to back the multiple Olympic medal winner gymnast and said: "Take your time, Simone Biles. You owe explanation to no one."
The 24-year-old Biles, one of the most decorated gymnasts of all time, had withdrawn from the women's team final on Tuesday (July 27) and all-around final on Wednesday (July 28) to focus on her mental health.
"Take your time @Simone_Biles. You have earned the right to owe it to yourself at this tender age. 48 hours or 48 days it might take. Just do it Champion. You owe no explanation to no one. @naomiosaka, you too. God bless you girls #Olympics," Shastri - who is in the United Kingdom with the Indian national Test side for the upcoming series against England - wrote on his Twitter handle.
Take your time @Simone_Biles. You have earned the right to owe it to yourself at this tender age. 48 hours or 48 days it might take. Just do it Champion. You owe no explanation to no one. @naomiosaka, you too. God bless you girls #Olympics pic.twitter.com/wMS7eV1UlX
— Ravi Shastri (@RaviShastriOfc) July 29, 2021
In his comments, Shastri also referred to star Japanese tennis player Naomi Osaka, who had mentioned about the mental toll of her profession as the reason for her third-round exit at the Olympics.
A five-time World all-around champion, Biles, who had won four individual gold medals in Rio Olympics, had brought the spotlight back on mental health after she decided to withdraw. The Indian cricket team's first Test series in the new World Test Championship cycle starts with the five-match series against England, starting August 4.
"I have to do what's right for me and focus on my mental health and not jeopardise my health and my wellbeing," she had said. Following her decision, Biles received support from different corners of the world with fans and celebrities in different fields taking to social media to express themselves.
(With PTI inputs)