Tokyo Olympics: Simone Biles withdraws from team gymnastics final over mental health concerns
- Five-time Olympic medallist Biles says ‘we have to protect our body and mind’, with Russia eventually beating the US to gold
- American adds that those competing are ‘not just athletes, we’re people at the end of the day’
Four-time Olympic gold medallist Simone Biles pulled out halfway through the team all-around competition final on Tuesday over mental health concerns, with the Russian Olympic Committee team eventually beating the US to gold.
USA Gymnastics confirmed on Tuesday that the 24-year-old Biles, considered one of the greatest of all time in her field, had withdrawn “due to a medical issue” and “will be assessed daily to determine medical clearance for future competition”.
Biles, who is the country’s most decorated gymnast with 19 world championships across all categories, was hotly tipped to defend her gold medals from the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. Her absence is considered a huge blow to the team’s future medal prospects as fans continue to wait for updates.
Biles had an uncharacteristically low-scoring vault performance, which ended in a stumble. Some media outlets suggested that Biles was going for a more complex vault and pulled out mid-jump. She then spoke to coach Cecile Landi and reportedly left the floor with team doctor Marcia Faustin.
She returned soon after – without her bar grips, back in her tracksuit – to congratulate teammates Sunisa Lee, Grace McCallum and Jordan Chiles. Photos also show coach Landi embracing her at the Ariake Gymnastics Centre after the decision.
Biles, who scored highly in the floor routine earlier in the day, was seen congratulating the winning Russians.
The 24-year-old later said “we have to protect our body and mind’, adding that those competing are “not just athletes, we’re people at the end of the day”.
“it just sucks when you’re fighting with your own head,” she said.
Jordan Chiles is expected to replace Biles on the uneven bars. Biles was expected to defend her all-around final medal on Thursday, among several other events at a later date. She won a staggering five medals in Rio.
On Monday, Biles posted a solemn-looking photo on Instagram with the caption: “I truly do feel like I have the weight of the world on my shoulders at times.
“I know I brush it off and make it seem like pressure doesn’t affect me but damn sometimes it’s hard hahaha! The olympics is no joke! BUT I’m happy my family was able to be with me virtually ... they mean the world to me!”
