She withdrew after just one event during the team event on Tuesday.
Simone Biles has spoken out about why she withdrew from the team gymnastic final, saying that she is “okay” and “dealing with things internally.”
The 24-year-old is one of the biggest stars of the games but pulled out after completing her vault performance whilst competing for the US team. She recorded the lowest score of her Olympic career on the vault.
She then left the arena before returning shortly afterwards to cheer on and support her teammates.
Speaking alongside them after the event, Biles told the BBC: “Yes, I’m okay. Just dealing with things internally that will get fixed out within the next couple of days. But super proud of how they stepped up to the plate tonight and worked.”
When asked if she would be returning for the individual events on Thursday, she replied: “Yes, thank you.”
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The team gymnastics final was eventually won by the Russian Olympic Committee, with Team USA settling for silver. Meanwhile, Team GB picked up a historic bronze in the event, the first medal for Britain in the women’s gymnastic team event since 1928.
NBC had initially reported that Biles’ withdrawal was due to a “mental issue,” but USA Gymnastics later released a statement saying that the gymnast could no longer compete due to a “medical issue.”
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Official statement: "Simone Biles has withdrawn from the team final competition due to a medical issue. She will be assessed daily to determine medical clearance for future competitions."
Thinking of you, Simone! pic.twitter.com/QA1GYHwWTv
— USA Gymnastics (@USAGym) July 27, 2021
In a separate interview, Biles told TODAY: “Physically, I feel good.
“Emotionally it varies on the time and moment. Coming to the Olympics and being head star isn’t an easy feat so we’re just trying to take it one day at a time and we’ll see.”
