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- Some of the world's top athletes are expressing mental health concerns this summer.
- Two of the most prominent to prioritize their wellbeing include Naomi Osaka and Simone Biles.
- An Olympics official said the games supports its competitors, but could always do more.
- Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.
An Olympic official says the games supports athletes but "could do more" with regards to the mental health concerns that have risen to the fore at the 2020 Tokyo Games.
Some of the world's most famous and successful competitors have expressed similar concerns this summer about pressure and anxiety.
The world No.2-ranked women's tennis player Naomi Osaka withdrew from two Grand Slam events this year to focus on her mental wellbeing.
And, at the Olympics this week, the most decorated American gymnast of all time Simone Biles pulled out of two Olympic events citing a similar issue.
These are just two modern-day examples that signal a new era in sports, and organizers are recognizing the trend.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) spokesman Mark Adams said "it's an incredibly important issue" in a recent statement at a news conference, adding that the issue is "one that's finally come to the fore."
Adams added: "Are we doing enough? I hope so. I think so. But like everyone in the world, we can do more on this issue, and we are, and we're really supporting the athletes in this."
Biles has won four Olympic gold medals and 19 world championship golds in her illustrious career to date.
She was expected to maintain her dominance of the sport this summer, but as Insider previously reported, her performance level appeared to have waned at the start of the Tokyo Games.
On Monday, after getting second place in Olympic prelims, Biles said it feels "like I have the weight of the world on my shoulders."
She pulled out midway through the Olympic women's gymnastics team final Tuesday, and withdrew from another competition Wednesday.
"We all have huge respect for [Biles,] and huge support for her," Adams said.