Health issue forces Simone Biles out of women’s gymnastics team final

Simone Biles has revealed that she will sit out the rest of the women’s gymnastics team final at the Olympics due to concerns over her mental health.

Biles misjudged her opening vault, scoring 13.766, the lowest of the first rotation, before leaving the floor briefly with the US team trainer.

Although the 24-year-old returned, she put on her tracksuit and did not compete in the Americans’ next apparatus, the uneven bars.

“Simone Biles has withdrawn from the team final competition due to a medical issue. She will be assessed daily to determine medical clearance for future competitions.” A USA Gymnastics statement reads.

The Team USA superstar’s bid to claim her first gold of the Tokyo Games suffered a setback as she was forced to withdraw after one rotation of the women’s team final.

The four-time Olympic gold medallist has now revealed she plans to take a backseat after withdrawing from the team final.

After further medical evaluation, Simone Biles has withdrawn from the final individual all-around competition. We wholeheartedly support Simone’s decision and applaud her bravery in prioritizing her well-being. Her courage shows, yet again, why she is a role model for so many. pic.twitter.com/6ILdtSQF7o

— USA Gymnastics (@USAGym) July 28, 2021

“I have to do what’s right for me and focus on my mental health and not jeopardize my health and my wellbeing,”

“I just don’t trust myself as much as I used to, and I don’t know if it’s age. I’m a little bit more nervous when I do gymnastics,” Biles said, with her teammates gathered beside her.

 “I feel like I’m also not having as much fun, and I know that this Olympic Games, I wanted it to be for myself.

“It just sucks that it happens here at the Olympics Games. With the year that it’s been, I’m really not surprised the way it played out,” she said, as she began to cry, and she was comforted by her teammates.

Biles had qualified for every individual apparatus final and finished top of the all-around standings.

She was bidding for six gold medals in Tokyo to better the four gold medals, and a bronze, she won five years ago in Rio.

There had been some concerns that she had not been her dominant self in the early stages.