Reigning Olympic gymnastics champion Simone Biles is out of the team finals due to a “medical issue”.
The Associated Press reports Biles apparently suffered an injury during the vault. But the Olympic broadcaster in the US, NBC, reported that it had been told Biles’ departure was related to her mental health and not a physical injury, but did not cite any sources.
Simone Biles watches on after she exited the team final.Credit:AP
The 24-year-old United States star, considered to be the greatest gymnast of all time, huddled with a trainer after landing her vault. She then exited the competition floor with the team doctor.
She returned and spoke to her teammates with alternates called in to replace other scheduled disciplines.
“Simone Biles has withdrawn from the team final competition due to a medical issue,” US gymnastics said in a statement.
“She will be assessed daily to determine medical clearance for future competitions.”
Biles returned several minutes later with her right leg wrapped. She took off her bar grips, hugged teammates Grace McCallum, Sunisa Lee and Jordan Chiles before putting on a jacket and sweatpants.
The Americans will finish the rest of the competition without her, severely hampering their bid to claim a third straight Olympic title.
The US began finals on vault, with Biles going last. She was supposed to do an “Amanar,” a vault that begins with a roundoff back handspring onto the table followed by 2 1/2 twists. She seemed to change her mind in mid-air, doing just 1 1/2 twists instead.
Simone Biles stumbles upon landing in the women’s team final on Tuesday night.Credit:Getty Images
She walked off the podium and was tended to by team doctor Marcia Faustin before making her way out of the arena.
Biles arrived in Tokyo as the unquestioned star of the Games but struggled, at least by her high standards, during qualifying. In a social media post on Monday, she admitted she felt like the weight of the world was on her shoulders and that the Olympics “were no joke”.
With AP
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