Piers Morgan dismisses criticism of contrasting reactions from Ben Stokes and Simone Biles

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Piers Morgan has dismissed comparisons between his reaction to the withdrawal of England cricketer Ben Stokes from the sport to focus on his sanity and his response to the withdrawal of Simone Biles from several Olympic gymnastics finals.

The former Good Morning Britain host was one of Biles’ harshest critics following her decision to pull out of several events citing mental health issues.

Shortly after his release was announced, Morgan tweeted, “Are ‘mental health issues’ now the go-to excuse for any poor performance in elite sport? What a joke.”

He continued, “Just admit that you did wrong, that you made mistakes, and that you will strive to do better next time. Children need strong role models, not this nonsense.”

Morgan followed that up with another attack in a Daily Mail column, where he wrote: “Sorry if this offends all of Twitter’s Snowflake Virtue flaggers, but I don’t think he’s brave, heroic or inspiring to stop. “

Before the Olympics, Morgan had also attacked four-time Grand Slam-winning tennis star Naomi Osaka after retiring from Roland Garros and skipping Wimbledon in order to focus on her sanity.

On Friday it was announced that Stokes will miss the England cricket team’s next round against India and may also be out of T20 World and Ashes.

Official statement: Ben Stokes

– England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 30, 2021

Fans were told the all-rounder, who lost his father last year, will take a hiatus in order to “prioritize his mental well-being.”

Following the announcement, many on Twitter were quick to question Morgan’s reaction to the news, with the newspaper’s former editor and avid cricket fan refraining from criticism of Stokes’ decision.

Former journalist Amar Singh wrote: “Pending this explanation from Piers Morgan on why Ben Stokes will not receive the same treatment from him as Simone Biles.”

Author Charles Cumming agrees: “Interesting to see how @piersmorgan reacts to this post-Simone Biles.”

BBC presenter Dan Walker also appeared to note the disparity.

“Interesting to see if those who were so quick to condemn Simone Biles have anything to say about Ben Stokes,” he wrote.

Several others, meanwhile, have weighed in on tweets criticizing Morgan for an apparent double standard on the issue.

Can’t wait for @piersmorgan to show Ben Stokes the same sympathy as Simone Biles.

– Food, fun and forest (@FoodFunForest) July 30, 2021

I wonder if Piers Morgan will attack Ben Stokes with as much hatred as Simone Biles?

– Lynn Braben Working Class Hero Is Something To Be (@LynnBraben) July 31, 2021

I wonder if Piers Morgan will go after Ben Stokes the same way he did Simone Biles and Naomi Osaka

– Amy (@blue_nose_amy) July 30, 2021

In response to such comments, Morgan declined to go back on his previous remarks, arguing instead that Stokes’ situation was markedly different from that of Biles and Osaka.

Noting that Stokes was stepping down, in part due to “a broken finger,” Morgan tweeted: “I’m sure Ben Stokes wouldn’t call his decision to withdraw from the huge India Test series” extremely courageous “,” inspiring ‘or’ heroic ‘as some say. “

He added “Me neither. England will be weaker without him and I hope he will be back for the Ashes.”

And because of a broken finger. I’m sure Ben Stokes wouldn’t call his decision to pull out of the massive India Test series very brave, inspiring or heroic as some say. Neither do I. England will be weaker without him and hopefully he’s back for the Ashes. https://t.co/H5lKG38lx3

– Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) July 31, 2021

Another Twitter follower asked Morgan if Stokes had “let down his teammates and country” by stepping back – an accusation he had previously made against Biles – but Morgan rejected the suggestion.

“If he gave up in the middle of a test match without a physical injury, leaving his teammates embarrassed like Simone Biles did, and complained about not having enough fun, then I would have said that, ”Morgan replied.

“Especially if he had ‘GOAT’ embroidered on his shirt. But he didn’t. So I didn’t.”

If he gave up in the middle of a test match without a physical injury, leaving his teammates embarrassed like Simon Biles did, and complained that he wasn’t having enough fun, then I would. would have said. Especially if he had embroidered GOAT on his shirt. But he did not do it. So I didn’t. https://t.co/AGHoQb94Hd

– Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) July 31, 2021

When fellow journalist Georgie Bingham attempted to argue that this description did not apply to Osaka, Morgan replied, “Osaka left the middle of the tournament because she didn’t want the media to ask her negative questions. .. it’s embarassing.”

Another BBC reporter, Natalie Pirks, then attempted to highlight a common thread between Morgan’s criticisms of Osaka, Biles and Meghan Markle and Stokes’ omission of any similar criticism.

She wrote in a tweet that has since been deleted: “So after all that bluster, was it really just the young black woman with mental health issues that he had a problem with? It sounds familiar – one is a queen, the other is a duchess. “

Morgan once again rebuffed these claims and criticized Pirks for his remarks.

“Are BBC sports correspondents allowed to indulge in such shameful racial bait? ” he wrote.

“I never criticize people on the basis of their skin color – shame on you for suggesting that I do so.”

Newsweek has reached out to Morgan for comment.

Simone Biles, Piers Morgan and Ben Stokes – the Good Morning Britain presenter has been criticized for his contrasting treatment of the two athletes. Stu Forster / MWE / GC / Fred Lee / Getty

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