United States superstar gymnast Simone Biles shocked the world after withdrawing from the women’s team event after one vault on Tuesday, July 27, citing mental health issues.
According to AFP, the Four-time Olympic gold medallist said that she is struggling with the ‘twisties’ which is a condition where gymnasts lose the ability to orientate themselves in mid-air.
Since then, Biles has withdrawn from all the other competitions she was set to partake in, including the event final for floor. She is yet to make a decision regarding the beam, which takes place on Tuesday, August 3.
USA Gymnastics took to Twitter to confirm her withdrawal by saying: “Simone has withdrawn from the event final for floor and will make a decision on beam later this week. Either way, we’re all behind you, Simone.”
Simone has withdrawn from the event final for floor and will make a decision on beam later this week. Either way, we’re all behind you, Simone.
— USA Gymnastics (@USAGym) August 1, 2021
The 24-year-old Biles set her eye on bagging six gold medals at the Tokyo Olympics, but has received worldwide support for stepping aside to put her mental health first.
“It’s like fighting all those demons and coming out here. I have to put my pride aside. I have to do it for the team.
“And then at the end of the day, it’s like ‘you know what, I have to do what is right for me and focus on my mental health and not jeopardize my health and my well-being,'” she said as per Reuters.
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Picture: Twitter @USA Gymnastics
