Simone Biles Is Pulled Out Of Team Finals With A ‘Mental Issue’
Gymnastics superstar and GOAT Simone Biles has been pulled out of the team final at the Olympics following an error on vault that resulted in her lowest score in years.
The 24-year-old Simone Biles had been looking to add several more Olympic gold medals to her collection, but that hope is quickly slipping away after her messing up her vault in the team final event.
Biles was slated to execute the Yurchenko double pike vault with two-and-a-half twists, but changed her routine mid-air and only performed one-and-a-half twists. She then failed to stick the landing – her knees buckled and she almost fell forward but was able to catch herself. She earned a score of 13.766, the lowest she has received in years.
Moments later, Biles exited the stadium with her trainer and a medical staff member, raising questions about a possible injury. Shortly afterward, it was announced that Biles had been pulled from Team USA’s uneven bars lineup, and then further announced she was removed from the team final competition completely.
According to NBC's commentators, Biles’ coach stated that her removal was due to a “mental issue” not a medical one. However, USA Gymnastics later released a statement that said, “Simone Biles has withdrawn from the team final competition due to a medical issue.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.”
Simone Biles had spoken out about the pressure she felt just days before. Following Team USA’s disappointing qualifying round in which they fell behind Russia, Simone took to Instagram.
“Now to prepare for finals. It wasn't an easy day or my best, but I got through it,” Biles said. “I truly do feel like I have the weight of the world on my shoulders at times. I know I brush it off and make it seem like pressure doesn't affect me but damn sometimes it's hard hahaha! The Olympics is no joke!”
As her withdrawal was announced, Biles returned to the stadium and donned her mask and tracksuit, indicating her exit from the competition.
Team member Jordan Chiles then joined Sunisa Lee and Grace McCallum in the uneven bars, while Biles cheered on her teammates.
Russia won the gold in team finals, their first since the end of the Soviet Union, while USA took silver, failing to win their third consecutive Olympic title.
This is a developing story.