It was an Olympic moment that shocked the world. The world’s greatest gymnast withdrawing from the finals.
Simone Biles, the tournament favorite for the gold medal, withdrew from the team finals to focus on her mental health.
Simone Biles cheered on her teammates after withdrawing from the Women’s Gymnastics Team Final ❤️
USA Gymnastics said Biles left because of a “medical issue.”
Ultimate teammate 👏 pic.twitter.com/E7AUjgN0xI
— ESPN (@espn) July 27, 2021
The statement read:
“After further medical evaluation, Simone Biles has withdrawn from the final individual all-around competition at the Tokyo Olympic Games, in order to focus on her mental health.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.”
Biles later thanked fans for the outpouring of support she received.
“The outpouring love & support I’ve received has made me realize I’m more than my accomplishments and gymnastics which I never truly believed before.”
Biles has since liked a tweet that explained that when a gymnast isn’t feeling right, it can have awful consequences on their health and put them in danger.
Here’s the thread:
I don’t think people realize that of simone biles isn’t feeling right mentally she can literally die doing her gymnastics. that’s how hard the shit she does is. one wrong move and it’s disaster. she did the right thing and I hope she’ll be okay
— 𓆉 (@ungodlywests) July 27, 2021
I cant find the interview right now but she has literally said this verbatim. like you know if simone misses an AMANAR that something is seriously wrong. that vault is automatic for her. I hope she gets some help mentally like that’s my baby
— 𓆉 (@ungodlywests) July 27, 2021
oop I found it. “don’t bail, or you will literally die” she made the right choice for herself and for her team #SimoneBiles https://t.co/T6a2yrLz8y pic.twitter.com/qPdwKeH9kb
— 𓆉 (@ungodlywests) July 27, 2021