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Update: Biles out of individual event 'to focus on mental health' after dramatic teams exit

Simone Biles (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
28th July, 2021
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One of the Olympics’ biggest stars, US gymnast Simone Biles was visibly upset Tuesday night when she withdrew from the team’s event final, with what she described as a mental health issue.

On Wednesday Biles was ruled lut of Thursday’s all-around event, where she is the defending champions. There was no decision yet on the individual apparatus events next week.

Biles, the greatest gymnast of all time, made an error in one discipline and pulled out of another before walking off the floor during the teams event.

It put her participation in the individual all around final in doubt and she could not confirm if she would be able to compete.

USA Gymnastics said Biles’ withdrawal was down to a “medical issue”, but she later confirmed it was due to her own mental health concerns.

“After the performance I did I just didn’t want to go on,” said Biles, fighting back tears as sspoke to the media.

“I do not trust myself anymore, I tried to go out there for the team and they stepped up to the plate.

“I’m just trying to gear up for the next test.

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“I have to focus on my mental health … we’re going to see about Thursday.

“We’re going to take it a day at a time and see what happens. We have to protect our minds and our bodies and not just go out and do what the world wants us to do.

“I just think mental health is more prevalent in sports right now.”


A team statement said: “She will be assessed daily to determine medical clearance for future competitions.”

Biles, 23, was the top qualifier for the individual event.

The team event was won by the ROC team, with the USA finishing in second and Biles pulled out of the event after a poor first vault.

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She competed in Team USA’s first rotation on vault, bailing out of her Amanar and only completing a 1.5 twist on a 2.5-twisting Yurchenko, then taking a big stumble backward on the landing.

She then exited the competition floor with the team doctor.

Biles returned several minutes later. She took off her bar grips, hugged teammates and was replaced in the competition.

In a social media post on Monday, Biles admitted she felt like the weight of the world was on her shoulders and that the Olympics “were no joke.”

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