- Saturday, November 23, 2024
By: Shubham Ghosh
AMERICA’S 24-year-old gymnastics superstar Simone Biles on Wednesday (28) pulled out of a second competition at the ongoing Tokyo Olympics to protect her mental health. Her withdrawal raised serious concerns over her taking part in the rest of the tournament, dashing dreams of several of her fans to witness the gold rush of Rio Games in 2016.
A day after Biles’ shock exit from the team event, USA Gymnastics said she had also withdrawn from the individual all-round competition at the Ariake Gymnastics Centre at the Japanese capital.
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Biles is one of the most celebrated athletes at Tokyo Games as she pursued a record-equalling nine career Olympic titles in the pandemic-postponed Games.
But her followers were left shocked when she pulled out of the team competition following a nervous opening vault.
“After further medical evaluation, Simone Biles has withdrawn from the final individual all-around competition at the Tokyo Olympic Games, in order to focus on her mental health,” USA Gymnastics said in a statement.
The US gymnastics body also said the decision whether Biles, who will be replaced by Jade Carey, would compete in the individual event finals would be taken after daily assessment, AFP reported.
“We wholeheartedly support Simone’s decision and applaud her bravery in prioritising her well-being,” the statement said, adding, “Her courage shows, yet again, why she is a role model for so many.”
After pulling out of the team event in which she won a silver as a result of starting the final, Biles said she had to “do what’s right for me and focus on my mental health”.
“I just don’t trust myself as much as I used to, and I don’t know if it’s age,” she said. “I’m a little bit more nervous when I do gymnastics.”
Support for the gymnast poured in from all across following her decision to withdraw, including from former US first lady Michelle Obama.
Am I good enough? Yes, I am. The mantra I practice daily. @Simone_Biles, we are proud of you and we are rooting for you. Congratulations on the the silver medal, Team @USA! ?
— Michelle Obama (@MichelleObama) July 28, 2021
Biles had won four gold medals and one bronze at the Rio Games five years ago.
