American gymnast MyKayla Skinner wins silver in vault as replacement for Simone Biles
TOKYO – U.S. gymnast MyKayla Skinner, competing in place of Simone Biles, won a silver medal Sunday in women’s vaulting.
Only four Americans previously medaled in the event, including gold medalist Biles in 2016. Biles dropped out of the Tokyo final for mental health reasons and was replaced by Skinner in the eight-woman final at Ariake Gymnastics Centre.
Skinner, 24, competed first, scoring 14.916 after her Cheng (15.033) and Amanar (14.800) vaults.
Brazil’s Rebeca Andrade won the gold medal at 15.083, adding to her all-around silver. The bronze went to South Korea’s Seojeong Yeo (14.733).
SIMONE OUT: Biles withdraws from floor exercise final; status for balance beam unclear
American Jade Carey appeared to trip while running for her first vault and instead of a Cheng was forced to perform a Yurchenko, scoring just 11.933. She followed by an Amanar (12.900), taking a penalty for two vaults from the same family, for 12.416 overall.
Carey competes again in the floor exercise final Monday.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2021 Tokyo Olympics: US gymnast MyKayla Skinner wins silver in vault
