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Former world and European 400m champion Roger Black has given his backing to England cricketer Ben Stokes and American gymnast Simone Biles after they withdrew from events last week to help their mental health.
‘It just so, so important to support someone when they speak out and say they’re not coping,’ Black, 55, told the Mail on Sunday.
‘This isn’t a new issue. We’ve all been there at one time or another dealing with similar things. It’s just that we’re talking about it these days, and that’s a good thing for society, and speaking as a parent, a positive thing.’
Former 400m world champion Roger Black gave his backing to Ben Stokes and Simone Biles
Black (right), said he 'absolutely hated' being at the 1992 Barcelona Games due to injury pain
Biles pulled out of two events at Tokyo 2020, saying she needed to put her mental health first, while Stokes has announced he will play no part in the forthcoming series against India ‘to prioritise his mental wellbeing.’
Black won three Olympic medals for Team GB across the 1992 and 1996 Games, a bronze in the relay while injured
