MyKayla Skinner, ready to leave Japan, now training to possibly replace Simone Biles

TOKYO – U.S. gymnast MyKayla Skinner is continuing to train if she is called upon to replace Simone Biles in the Olympic vault final Sunday.

Skinner’s coach Lisa Spini said Friday that she and Skinner were “going to leave (Japan) but were asked to stay” after Biles dropped out of the team final Tuesday with mental health concerns.

Biles also did not compete in the all-around final Thursday, replaced by Jade Carey, who finished eighth.

Biles said on Instagram Friday that she continues to experience the “twisties” — unable to be certain of where she is in the air — and that they are affecting her on all four events.

Skinner would be in position to take Biles' spot after finishing fourth (14.866) on vault qualifying on Sunday, finishing behind Biles (15.183) and Carey (15.166). The 24-year-old did not make the eight-woman final based on a limitation of two gymnasts per country.

A final decision on the roster for finals is not due until 24 hours before the competition, Spini said.

“She is doing really well in training,” Spini said. “Her vaults in qualifying were not her best.

“This wouldn’t be exactly how you want to get an opportunity, but you take it. Her first dream was to be an Olympian and her second was to medal.”

Skinner, from Gilbert, Arizona, was a 2016 Olympic alternate who did not compete in Rio. She qualified for Tokyo through U.S. Championships and the Olympic Trials as an individual specialist.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Simone Biles: MyKayla Skinner preparing to be replacement for vault