What happened to Simone Biles? Why did US gymnastics star pull out of Tokyo Olympics team final?
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Updated 29/07/2021 at 11:34 GMT
Simone Biles' Tokyo 2020 Olympics did not get off to the best start after she pulled out midway through the gymnastics team final. The 24-year-old American then pulled out of her individual events for mental health reasons. You want it? We have it. Stream every Olympic event live on discovery+
'I didn't want to cost the team a medal' - Biles explains why she pulled out of team event
Simone Biles pulled out of the women's Olympic gymnastics team final in Tokyo before later deciding to withdraw from the individual competition at the Games.
The 24-year-old was competing for Team USA on Tuesday, July 27 and competed in the first rotation on vault.
However, she bailed out of her Amanar to score 13.766 for a 1.5 twist.
Following the unpredictable vault, Biles gathered her training bag and walked off the floor with her trainer that prompted a wild reaction from fans on social media.
Biles was supposed to be competing on the uneven bars in the second rotation, but Team USA called on Jordan Chiles, originally sitting out on the apparatus, to be subbed in.
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Simone Biles' vault did not go to plan in the team gymnastics final
Image credit: Getty Images
Biles came back into the arena with her tracksuit on, suggesting she would no longer be participating in the event, and hugged her team-mates - Grace McCallum, Jordan Chiles and Sunisa Lee.
The USA gymnastics team confirmed she would no longer be competing in the team event but did not reveal full details.
An official statement read: "Simone has withdrawn from the team final competition due to a medical issue. She will be assessed daily to determine medical clearance for future competitions."
The US women were seeking their third consecutive Olympic team title but had to settle for silver as the Russian Olympic Committee took gold. Team GB won bronze.
News of a medical issue caused concern among Olympics fans as to whether she would compete in her individual events to come.
The four-time Olympic champion had reached all five individual finals and was next due compete on Thursday, attempting to become the first woman to retain the Olympic all-around title since 1968.
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Biles nails most difficult vault in training ahead of Olympic bid
But on Wednesday, Biles ruled herself out of the individual events after a 'medical evaluation.'
A USA gymnastics statement read: "After further medical evaluation, Simone Biles has withdrawn from the final individual all-around competition at the Tokyo Olympics 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.
"Jade Carey, who had the ninth highest qualifications, will participate in her place in the all-around.
"Her courage shows, yet again, why she is a role model for so many."
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