Why did Simone Biles pull out of Olympic events? Team USA gymnast withdraws from two Tokyo finals

TOKYO, JAPAN - JULY 27: Simone Biles of Team United States is embraced by coach Cecile Landi during the Women's Team Final on day four of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Ariake Gymnastics Centre on July 27, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Simone Biles is widely considered to be the greatest gymnast of all time and so high expectations were placed on her ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

Previous to Tuesday’s final, Biles has qualified for every individual apparatus final and finished top of the all-round standings, but the 24-year-old has surprised viewers in Tokyo with a number of errors in her events so far.

Questions were raised about whether Biles would be able to replicate her medal count from Rio 2016 – where she won four gold medals – and perhaps the gymnast was feeling the pressure following her comments on Instagram on Monday that claimed she felt like “the weight of the world” was on her shoulders.

What happened to Simone Biles?

Simone Biles began the women’s gymnastics team final by misjudging her landing on the vault and gaining a score of 13.766 in the opening rotation.

Biles was supposed to do an ‘Amanar’ which ends with two-and-a-half twists, however only managed one-and-a-half and stumbled as she landed on the mat.

Shortly after, she left the floor with the US’ medical trainer, returning minutes later before putting on a tracksuit.

Biles was reported to have withdrawn from the event due to a ‘medical issue’ and USA Gymnastics later put out a statement saying Biles would be “assessed daily to determine medical clearance for future competitions”.

The 24-year-old remained on the floor to support her teammates, however the US were unable to defend their title and finished second to the Russian Olympic Committee. Team GB impressed in the final, clinching the bronze medal.

Biles’ admitted yesterday that she is “just dealing with things internally”.

Why has Simone Biles withdrawn from the individual all-around final?

In a statement, USA Gymnastics said: “After further medical evaluation, Simone Biles has withdrawn from the final individual all-around competition.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 prioritising her wellbeing. Her courage shows, yet again, why she is a role model for so many.”

USA Gymnastics said Biles is yet to decide whether to withdraw from her four individual finals, which are scheduled to take place next week.