The Conversation (0)
Sport
Greg Evans
Jul 28, 2021
Simone Biles, the most successful US gymnast of all time, has now pulled out of the women’s all-around gymnastics competition and fans have flooded her with support.
This follows her dramatically dropping out of the women’s team final on Tuesday after just a single vault. The 24-year old appeared to have an awkward landing on her opening vault of the team event and briefly left the arena.
She did return but it was confirmed that she would take part in any further events with teammate Jordan Chiles stepping in to replace her.
Simone Biles has pulled out of the team finals, per Peacock. Reason unknown #Tokyo2020— Nick McCarvel (@Nick McCarvel) 1627385304
Reports are stating that Simone Biles is being attended to by a trainer and has left the field of play at the Ariak… https://t.co/cfKsnPSVtg— #Tokyo2020 (@#Tokyo2020) 1627385147
It was not immediately disclosed why Biles dropped out of the event but the reason was said to be a “medical issue.” USA gymnastics added: “She will be assessed daily to determine medical clearance for future competitions. Thinking of you, Simone!”
The highly decorated gymnast later explained that she is prioritising her own mental health and well-being. She said: “After the performance I did, I just didn’t want to go on.
“I have to focus on my mental health. I just think mental health is more prevalent in sports right now.
“We have to protect our minds and our bodies and not just go out and do what the world wants us to do.
“I don’t trust myself as much anymore. Maybe it’s getting older. There were a couple of days when everybody tweets you and you feel the weight of the world.”
She added: “We’re not just athletes. We’re people at the end of the day and sometimes you just have to step back.
“I didn’t want to go out and do something stupid and get hurt. I feel like a lot of athletes speaking up has really helped.
“It’s so big, it’s the Olympic Games. At the end of the day, we don’t want to be carried out of there on a stretcher.”
USA gymnastics also added that, after further medical examination, Biles had al withdrawn from the women’s all-round final, taking place on Thursday. The statement praised her “bravery” in “prioritising her well-being”.
After further medical evaluation, Simone Biles has withdrawn from the final individual all-around competition. We w… https://t.co/RIhhwbBXHx— USA Gymnastics (@USA Gymnastics) 1627452844
Biles is yet to decide whether to withdraw from her four individual finals, which are scheduled to take place next week, USA Gymnastics said.
There was an immediate show of support and solidarity for Biles as she bowed out of the competition, with fans hoping for the best for the gymnast and her wellbeing.
Simone Biles has pulled out of the ENTIRE Team Finals. OMG THIS IS HORRIBLE. #Olympics— Poor Lawyer (@Poor Lawyer) 1627385254
Shocking news. NBC reporting Simone Biles has pulled out of the gymnastics team competition. We don’t know why yet.— Chris Jansing (@Chris Jansing) 1627385352
We love you so much @Simone_Biles— ❄️Denali❄️ (@❄️Denali❄️) 1627385302
I just want Simone Biles to be ok https://t.co/1FfizpwQ6X— innominate (@innominate) 1627385531
We love you @Simone_Biles, you’ve made us incredibly proud, get better young Queen 👸🏾🇺🇸❤️ https://t.co/PCdySsHlVt— Coach Christi, DNP 👩🏾⚕️🥎 (@Coach Christi, DNP 👩🏾⚕️🥎) 1627385891
Me on an emotional rollercoaster hearing Simone Biles is out of the Gymnastics Team Finals in the Tokyo Olympics.… https://t.co/SiYfqDWkfb— ClockOutWars (@ClockOutWars) 1627386526
So sad about Simone Biles being pulled. She’s still the GOAT regardless and we all know she’s a winner no matter wh… https://t.co/0t9Me5PdY5— nonexistent. (@nonexistent.) 1627385989
You're telling me the USWNT just played to a miserable 0-0 draw and Simone Biles is out of the gymnastics finals an… https://t.co/qpZiQKo99a— Molly Hensley-Clancy (@Molly Hensley-Clancy) 1627385981
Simone Biles is out of the women's Olympic gymnastics team final in Tokyo *AND* Naomi Osaka knocked out in round 3.… https://t.co/UMm7KAGzDe— Emmanuel Acho (@Emmanuel Acho) 1627386310
Sending love to Simone Biles, the human being, who deserves all adoration and praise for who she is, not for the su… https://t.co/ydwUG97qu1— Heather Hogan (@Heather Hogan) 1627385820
Fellow athletes also showed their support for Biles.
. @Simone_Biles you’ve pushed boundaries time and time again. Rest up & take time https://t.co/ktAmF0UmAc— Max Whitlock OBE (@Max Whitlock OBE) 1627454161
All my support to @Simone_Biles. Mental health is a key component of our health, and it MUST be a priority always.… https://t.co/tZMCeFi1U7— Pau Gasol (@Pau Gasol) 1627446341
Michael Phelps shows his support for Simone Biles ✊ https://t.co/mGVo7mfIFN— Bleacher Report (@Bleacher Report) 1627446561
Fans hope the media will respect Biles while she recovers, while some criticised Team USA’s strategy.
If they don’t get these cameras off Simone Biles’ face when she’s not competing!! #Tokyo2020 #OlympicGames https://t.co/ZqmGBuMqTT— UnapologeticAyesha (@UnapologeticAyesha) 1627384105
Someone said it best yesterday: "Simone Biles is a PERSON, not a strategy." I hope everyone gives her so goddamn grace.— Lexi Lex ✨🤍🌙 (@Lexi Lex ✨🤍🌙) 1627384808
Simone Biles is the greatest gymnast of all time, but USAG’s strategy of not caring about team composition or lineu… https://t.co/DsgdRoUW6d— mia / amelia / הדסה לאה (@mia / amelia / הדסה לאה) 1627384359
the world if everyone realised simone biles is a human being and let her breathe for 5 seconds https://t.co/12lmX9jWYw— sarah ⎕ ミ☆ (@sarah ⎕ ミ☆) 1627386323
I don’t care who wins all I care about right now is that Simone biles gets the support and help she needs today— Jess (@Jess) 1627385767
Biles stuck around to cheer on her teammates on Tuesday who did her proud.
In a nearly empty stadium, @hodakotb says she can hear Simone Biles cheering for her teammates after dropping out of the day’s competition.— Chris Jansing (@Chris Jansing) 1627385952
Jordan Chiles bars https://t.co/lPhMCEuT71— Gage Dyers Hair (@Gage Dyers Hair) 1627385507
Jordan Chiles hits under pressure! Last minute substitution into the bar lineup and she’s unfazed! Great set!— Inside Gymnastics (@Inside Gymnastics) 1627385564
Incredibly proud of Jordan Chiles proving herself after having to step in in the last minute— Christina (@Christina) 1627385532
Biles, who was in contention to win six gold medals, is widely regarded as one of the greatest Olympians ever and this will be considered a massive blow for the athletes and potentially the Games as a whole as she is one of the most famous stars on show in Tokyo.
At Rio 2016, Biles finished top of the all-around standings and picked up four gold medals in just her first games however she made some uncharacteristic mistakes in the preliminary rounds of the team competition. Just a day ago she shared a post on Instagram where she mentioned that she felt like she had the “weight of the world on my shoulders at times.”
Biles later told NBC that she is “in shape” but that it isn’t an “easy feat” by coming to the Olympics and being the “head star” but “we’re just trying to take it one day at a time and we’ll see.” She added: “I’m OK, just super frustrated of how the night, but super proud of these girls and now we’re silver medalists.
“Something we’ll cherish forever. We hope America still loves us.”
The United States managed to finish in the silver medal position with Biles appearing on the podium to accept the medal alongside Chiles, Sunisa Lee and Grace McCallum. Gold was won by the Russian Olympic Committee, with Team GB taking bronze.
Biles added on Instagram that she was “proud” of the team who “stepped up when I couldn’t.”