Simone Biles withdraws from individual all-around competition at Tokyo Olympics
ByMichelle Ewing, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
ByMichelle Ewing, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
TOKYO — Simone Biles, widely considered the greatest gymnast of all time, has withdrawn from the individual all-around competition at the Tokyo Olympics.
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Simone Biles drops from team competition Simone Biles, of the United States, enters the court for the artistic gymnastics women's final at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 27, 2021, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull) (Gregory Bull/AP)
Simone Biles drops from team competition Simone Biles, of the United States, performs on the vault during the artistic gymnastics women's final at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 27, 2021, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Morry Gash) (Morry Gash/AP)
Simone Biles drops from team competition Simone Biles, of the United States, performs on the vault during the artistic gymnastics women's final at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 27, 2021, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Morry Gash) (Morry Gash/AP)
Simone Biles drops from team competition Simone Biles, of the United States, performs on the vault during the artistic gymnastics women's final at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 27, 2021, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko) (Natacha Pisarenko/AP)
Simone Biles drops from team competition Simone Biles, of the United States, stumbles as she lands on the vault during the artistic gymnastics women's final at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 27, 2021, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Morry Gash) (Morry Gash/AP)
Simone Biles drops from team competition Simone Biles, of the United States, performs on the vault during the artistic gymnastics women's final at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 27, 2021, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Morry Gash) (Morry Gash/AP)
Simone Biles drops from team competition Simone Biles, of the United States, performs on the vault during the artistic gymnastics women's final at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 27, 2021, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis) (Ashley Landis/AP)
Simone Biles drops from team competition Simone Biles, of the United States, performs on the vault during the artistic gymnastics women's final at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 27, 2021, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Morry Gash) (Morry Gash/AP)
Simone Biles drops from team competition Simone Biles, of the United States, performs on the vault during the artistic gymnastics women's final at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 27, 2021, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull) (Gregory Bull/AP)
Simone Biles drops from team competition Simone Biles, of the United States, dismounts from the vault during the artistic gymnastics women's final at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 27, 2021, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull) (Gregory Bull/AP)
Simone Biles drops from team competition Simone Biles, of the United States, performs on the vault during the artistic gymnastics women's final at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 27, 2021, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull) (Gregory Bull/AP)
Simone Biles drops from team competition Simone Biles, of the United States, performs on the vault during the artistic gymnastics women's final at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 27, 2021, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull) (Gregory Bull/AP)
Simone Biles drops from team competition Simone Biles, of the United States, waits for her turn to perform during the artistic gymnastics women's final at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 27, 2021, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull) (Gregory Bull/AP)
Simone Biles drops from team competition Simone Biles, of the United States, talks to teammate Sunisa Lee during the artistic gymnastics women's final at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 27, 2021, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull) (Gregory Bull/AP)
Simone Biles drops from team competition Coach Laurent Landi embraces Simone Biles, of the United States, during the artistic gymnastics women's finalat the 2020 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 27, 2021, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull) (Gregory Bull/AP)
Simone Biles drops from team competition Simone Biles, of the United States, performs on the vault during the artistic gymnastics women's final at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 27, 2021, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis) (Ashley Landis/AP)
Simone Biles drops from team competition Simone Biles, of the United States, performs on the vault during the artistic gymnastics women's final at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 27, 2021, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Morry Gash) (Morry Gash/AP)
According to The New York Times, USA Gymnastics released a statement Wednesday saying the 24-year-old, who pulled out of Tuesday’s team final, will not be competing in the all-around competition Thursday.
After further medical evaluation, Simone Biles has withdrawn from the final individual all-around competition. We wholeheartedly support Simone’s decision and applaud her bravery in prioritizing her well-being. Her courage shows, yet again, why she is a role model for so many. pic.twitter.com/6ILdtSQF7o
“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,” the statement read. “Simone will continue to be evaluated daily to determine whether or not to participate in next week’s individual event finals.”
The statement continued: “We wholeheartedly support Simone’s decision and applaud her bravery in prioritizing her well-being. Her courage shows, yet again, why she is a role model for so many.”
Fellow American Jade Carey, who placed ninth in the qualifying round, will replace Biles in the all-around, according to the statement. Teammate Sunisa Lee, who secured a spot in the all-around final after posting the third-highest score in qualifying, also will compete.
Photos: Jade Carey to replace Simone Biles in Olympic gymnastics individual all-around Jade Carey of United States of America during women's qualification for the Artistic Gymnastics final at the Olympics at Ariake Gymnastics Centre, Tokyo, Japan on July 25, 2021. (Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Photos: Jade Carey to replace Simone Biles in Olympic gymnastics individual all-around Jade Carey, of the United States, performs on the balance beam during the women's artistic gymnastic qualifications at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Sunday, July 25, 2021, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Photos: Jade Carey to replace Simone Biles in Olympic gymnastics individual all-around Jade Carey of Team United States competes on vault during Women's Qualification on day two of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Ariake Gymnastics Centre on July 25, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
Photos: Jade Carey to replace Simone Biles in Olympic gymnastics individual all-around Jade Carey, of the United States, performs on the vault during the women's artistic gymnastic qualifications at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Sunday, July 25, 2021, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
Photos: Jade Carey to replace Simone Biles in Olympic gymnastics individual all-around USA's Jade Carey competes in the floor event of the artistic gymnastic women's qualification during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Ariake Gymnastics Centre in Tokyo on July 25, 2021. (LIONEL BONAVENTURE/AFP via Getty Images)
Photos: Jade Carey to replace Simone Biles in Olympic gymnastics individual all-around Jade Carey of Team United States competes in the floor exercise during Women's Qualification on day two of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Ariake Gymnastics Centre on July 25, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Photos: Jade Carey to replace Simone Biles in Olympic gymnastics individual all-around Jade Carey of Team United States competes on uneven bars during Women's Qualification on day two of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Ariake Gymnastics Centre on July 25, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
Photos: Jade Carey to replace Simone Biles in Olympic gymnastics individual all-around Simone Biles, Grace McCallum and Jade Carey of Team United States look on during Women's Qualification on day two of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Ariake Gymnastics Centre on July 25, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Photos: Jade Carey to replace Simone Biles in Olympic gymnastics individual all-around Grace McCullum, Sunisa Lee, Jordan Chiles, Simone Biles, MyKayla Skinner and Jade Carey of Team USA wave as they line up ahead of their floor routines on day two of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Ariake Gymnastics Centre on July 25, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
Photos: Jade Carey to replace Simone Biles in Olympic gymnastics individual all-around US gymnasts (fromL) Mykayla Skinner, Sunisa Lee, Simone Biles, Jordan Chiles, Grace McCallum and Jade Carey pose with team members after a training session at the Ariake Gymnastics Centre in Tokyo, on July 22, 2021, a few days prior to the beginning of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic games. (LOIC VENANCE/AFP via Getty Images)
Biles – who won four gold medals, including the all-around title, at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro – pulled out of Tuesday’s competition shortly after the U.S. women completed their first rotation on vault. According to The Associated Press, the gymnast bailed on the vault she had planned to perform, an Amanar, and hopped on the landing.
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US women compete in gymnastics team final Simone Biles, of the United States, performs on the vault during the artistic gymnastics women's final at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 27, 2021, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
US women compete in gymnastics team final Simone Biles, of the United States, performs on the vault during the artistic gymnastics women's final at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 27, 2021, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
US women compete in gymnastics team final Grace McCallum, of the United States, performs on the vault during the artistic gymnastics women's final at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 27, 2021, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
US women compete in gymnastics team final Grace McCallum, of the United States, performs on the vault during the artistic gymnastics women's final at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 27, 2021, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
US women compete in gymnastics team final Jordan Chiles, of the United States, performs on the vault during the artistic gymnastics women's final at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 27, 2021, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
US women compete in gymnastics team final Jordan Chiles, of the United States, performs on the vault during the artistic gymnastics women's final at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 27, 2021, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
US women compete in gymnastics team final Grace McCallum, of the United States, performs on the balance beam during the artistic gymnastics women's final at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 27, 2021, in Tokyo. (Morry Gash/AP)
US women compete in gymnastics team final Jordan Chiles, of the United States, celebrates her performance on the uneven bars during the artistic gymnastics women's final at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 27, 2021, in Tokyo. (Gregory Bull/AP)
US women compete in gymnastics team final Jordan Chiles, of the United States, prepares to perform on the balance beam during the artistic gymnastics women's final at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 27, 2021, in Tokyo. (Ashley Landis/AP)
US women compete in gymnastics team final Sunisa Lee, of the United States, performs on the balance beam during the artistic gymnastics women's final at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 27, 2021, in Tokyo. (Ashley Landis/AP)
US women compete in gymnastics team final Jordan Chiles, of the United States, performs on the balance beam during the artistic gymnastics women's final at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 27, 2021, in Tokyo. (Morry Gash/AP)
US women compete in gymnastics team final Sunisa Lee, of the United States, performs on the uneven bars during the artistic gymnastics women's final at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 27, 2021, in Tokyo. (Morry Gash/AP)
US women compete in gymnastics team final Sunisa Lee, of the United States, performs on the balance beam during the artistic gymnastics women's final at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 27, 2021, in Tokyo. (Morry Gash/AP)
US women compete in gymnastics team final Sunisa Lee, of the United States, performs on the balance beam during the artistic gymnastics women's final at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 27, 2021, in Tokyo. (Morry Gash/AP)
US women compete in gymnastics team final Grace McCallum, of the United States, performs on the floor during the artistic gymnastics women's final at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 27, 2021, in Tokyo. (Natacha Pisarenko/AP)
US women compete in gymnastics team final Sunisa Lee, of the United States, performs on the balance beam during the artistic gymnastics women's final at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 27, 2021, in Tokyo. (Ashley Landis/AP)
US women compete in gymnastics team final Jordan Chiles, of the United States, dismounts from the balance beam during the artistic gymnastics women's final at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 27, 2021, in Tokyo. (Ashley Landis/AP)
US women compete in gymnastics team final Sunisa Lee, of the United States, performs on the balance beam during the artistic gymnastics women's final at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 27, 2021, in Tokyo. (Ashley Landis/AP)
US women compete in gymnastics team final Grace McCallum, of the United States, performs on the uneven bars during the artistic gymnastics women's final at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 27, 2021, in Tokyo. (Morry Gash/AP)
US women compete in gymnastics team final Grace McCallum, of the United States, performs on the floor during the artistic gymnastics women's final at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 27, 2021, in Tokyo. (Natacha Pisarenko/AP)
US women compete in gymnastics team final Jordan Chiles, of the United States, performs on the floor during the artistic gymnastics women's final at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 27, 2021, in Tokyo. (Morry Gash/AP)
US women compete in gymnastics team final Simone Biles, of the United States, lands from the vault during the artistic gymnastics women's final at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 27, 2021, in Tokyo. (Gregory Bull/AP)
US women compete in gymnastics team final Jordan Chiles, of the United States, performs on the balance beam during the artistic gymnastics women's final at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 27, 2021, in Tokyo. (Morry Gash/AP)
US women compete in gymnastics team final Grace McCallum, of the United States, performs on the floor during the artistic gymnastics women's final at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 27, 2021, in Tokyo. (Morry Gash/AP)
US women compete in gymnastics team final Jordan Chiles, of the United States, celebrates her performance on the uneven bars during the artistic gymnastics women's final at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 27, 2021, in Tokyo. (Ashley Landis/AP)
US women compete in gymnastics team final Jordan Chiles, of the United States, performs on the floor during the artistic gymnastics women's final at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 27, 2021, in Tokyo. (Morry Gash/AP)
Biles was seen with her trainer before leaving the floor with the team’s doctor following the routine, according to the AP. She returned to the sidelines to cheer on teammates Lee, Jordan Chiles and Grace McCallum, who went on to win the silver medal.
On Tuesday, USA Gymnastics said Biles withdrew from the team final “due to a medical issue” and will “be assessed daily to determine medical clearance for future competitions.”
Official statement: "Simone Biles has withdrawn from the team final competition due to a medical issue. She will be assessed daily to determine medical clearance for future competitions."
Biles later said she realized that she wasn’t “in the right headspace” to compete Tuesday, the AP reported.
“I didn’t want to go into any of the other events second-guessing myself,” Biles said. “So I thought it would be better if I took a step back and let these girls go out there and do their job.”
“I’m SO proud of these girls right here,” she captioned a photo of the team posing with their silver medals. “You girls are incredibly brave & talented! I’ll forever be inspired by your determination to not give up and to fight through adversity! They stepped up when I couldn’t. thanks for being there for me and having my back! Forever love y’all.”
