Simone Biles has withdrawn from two more events after her shock withdrawal from the team finals at the Olympics in Japan.
The US gymnast has pulled out of Sunday’s vault and uneven bars gymnastics finals.
The statement read:
“After further consultation with medical staff, Simone Biles has decided to withdraw from the event finals for vault and the uneven bars.
“MyKayla Skinner, who had the fourth-highest score in vault during qualifications, will compete in vault finals for the US alongside Jade Carey, who finished with the second-highest score.
“We remain in awe of Simone, who continues to handle this situation with courage and grace, and all of the athletes who have stepped up during these unexpected circumstances.”
The tournament favorite for the gold medal withdrew from the team finals to focus on her mental health.
Biles has now addressed those who said she quit and explained that the reason for her withdrawal was because her ‘body and mind are not in sync’.
“FOR ANYONE SAYING I QUIT. I DIDN’T QUIT MY MIND & BODY ARE SIMPLY NOT IN SYNC. I DON’T THINK YOU REALIZE HOW DANGEROUS THIS IS … NOR DO I HAVE TO EXPLAIN WHY I PUT MY HEALTH FIRST. PHYSICAL HEALTH IS MENTAL HEALTH.
On her IG stories, Simone Biles responds to people who think she “quit” on her team by explaining the “the twisties” she’s been experiencing and what it feels like “not having your mind and body in sync” …. pic.twitter.com/79hN973rkd
— Kimberley A. Martin (@ByKimberleyA) July 30, 2021
Biles explained what the ‘twisties’ are like.
“LITERALLY CAN NOT TELL UP FROM DOWN. IT’S THE CRAZIEST FEELING EVER. NOT HAVING AN INCH OF CONTROL OVER YOUR BODY. WHAT’S EVEN SCARIER IS SINCE I HAVE NO IDEA WHERE I AM IN THE AIR, I ALSO HAVE NO IDEA HOW I AM GOING TO LAND. OR WHAT I AM GOING TO LAND ON. HEAD/HANDS/FEET BACK… I DIDN’T HAVE A BAD PERFORMANCE AND QUIT. I’VE HAD PLENTY OF BAD PERFORMANCES THROUGHOUT MY CAREER AND FINISHED COMPETITION. I SIMPLY GOT SO LOST MY SAFETY WAS AT RISK AS WELL AS A TEAM MEDAL.”
