Simone Biles Pulls Out of Individual All-Around Competition to Focus on Her Mental Health
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[UPDATED 7/28/21 at 12:53 PM]: Simone Biles has announced she will not compete in Thursday's individual all-around gymnastics competition at the Olympics, just a day after withdrawing from the team gymnastics final.
"After further medical evaluation, Simone Biles has withdrawn from the final individual all-around competition at the Tokyo Olympic Games, in order to focus on her mental health," USA Gymnastics said in a statement on Wednesday. "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."
Jade Carey, Simone's teammate with take her place in Thursday's competition. As of now, it is still unclear whether or not Simone will compete in next week's individual events where she has qualified for all four apparatuses.
Following the announcement, Simone shared a message from gymnastics coach, Andrea Orris, on her Instagram Stories.
"It makes me so frustrated to see comments about Simone not being mentally tough enough or quitting on her team," the statement began. "After her track record of all she's pushed through—the fact that she took herself out of the competition on her own merit means that whatever she is dealing with internally has to be insurmountable and should be taken seriously."
Original post: Simone Biles withdrew from the women's team gymnastics finals on Tuesday after sustaining an injury on the vault.
The 24-year-old gymnast landed awkwardly after only rotating one-and-a-half times over the vault, according to CNN. She was then taken out of the arena to meet with her trainer. When she returned, she was wearing the Team USA tracksuit and her teammate Jordan Chiles took her place on the uneven bars.
"Simone Biles has withdrawn from the team final competition due to a medical issue," USA Gymnastics said in a statement. "She will be assessed daily to determine medical clearance for future competitions. Thinking of you, Simone!"
In the end, USA took home the silver, placing second after the Russian Olympic Committee's team.
Simone spoke with Hoda Kotb on Today following her withdrawal, saying she was going to "take it day by day" and as of now she isn't sure if she will be competing in the all-around competition on Thursday where she is the reigning champ.
"Physically, I feel good, I'm in shape," she said. "Emotionally, that kind of varies on the time and moment. Coming here to the Olympics and being the head star isn't an easy feat."
Simone spoke about the pressure she feels in an Instagram post following the qualifying round on Sunday. "It wasn’t an easy day or my best but I got through it," she wrote. "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!"
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