July 28, (THEWILL) – America’s most successful gymnast, Simone Biles, who withdrew from the women’s artistic team all-round event, as THEWILL reported on Tuesday, has now also withdrawn from the individual all-around competition, according to USA gymnastics.
Citing concerns about her mental health as the reason for her withdrawal, the superstar gymnast bowed out of the team event after a below-par vault, but returned to support her teammates and cheer them all the way to a silver medal finish behind the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC).
Expectations that Biles was going to return to compete on Thursday, even as she herself alluded to as a possibility, were dashed with the announcement that the 24-year-old has decided against competing and will not defend her Rio 2016 title in Tokyo.
The USA gymnastics statement read: “After further medical evaluation, Simone Biles has withdrawn from the final individual all-around competition at the Tokyo Olympics in order to focus on her mental health.
“Simone will continue to be evaluated daily to determine whether or not to participate in next week’s individual event finals.
“Jade Carey, who had the ninth highest qualifications, will participate in her place in the all-around. 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.”
THEWILL recalls that Biles has looked out of sorts at the Games since qualification. The multiple Olympic gold medalist herself admitted that she was shook up after failing to land her opening vault in the qualifiers.
After Tuesday’s all-round event, Biles explained that she was suffering from a lack of confidence: “Even though it’s so big, it’s the Olympic Games. But at the end of the day it’s like we want to walk out of here, not be dragged out here on a stretcher.
“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. I feel like I’m also not having as much fun and I know that.
“I have to focus on my mental health. We have to protect our minds and our bodies and not just go out and do what the world wants us to do.”
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
