Gymnastics fans gutted over sad new Simone Biles news
Simone Biles seems unlikely to compete in any further events at the Tokyo Olympics, with American officials announcing her withdrawal from the individual uneven bars and vault.
The 24-year-old pulled out of both the team and individual floor routines, saying her mind and body were not 'in sync' as she flies through the air.
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Biles has not competed since she pulled out of the women's team final on Wednesday after one rotation.
She described the phenomenon of what she was feeling, a feeling of disorientation mid-air not uncommon among gymnasts, on her Instagram stories.
"What’s even scarier is since I have no idea where I am in the air, I also have NO idea how I’m going to land. Or what I’m going to land on," she said.
"I don’t think you realise how dangerous this is on hard/competition surface.
"It's honestly petrifying trying to do a skill but not having your mind and body in sync."
USA Gymnastics said in a statement: "Today, after further consultation with medical staff, Simone Biles has decided to withdraw from the event finals for vault and the uneven bars.
"She will continue to be evaluated daily to determine whether to compete in the finals for floor exercise and balance beam.
"We remain in awe of Simone, who continues to handle this situation with courage and grace, and all of the athletes who have stepped up during these unexpected circumstances."
Biles, for now, is still scheduled to compete in the uneven bars final on Monday and the beam the following day.
Simone Biles responds to ugly Olympics backlash
Simone Biles has responded to the ugly backlash she received for withdrawing from the women's all-around individual event at the Tokyo Olympics this week.
Biles, winner of every all-around competition she entered since 2013, stunned the Olympics when she decided not to defend her Rio Games all-around title.
She had already dropped out of the team event on Tuesday after one poor vault, citing the need to focus on her mental health.
But the gymnastics legend watched on from the stands as fellow American Sunisa Lee won the all-around gymnastics event.
Since then, Biles has taken to social media to hit back at the disgusting backlash she has received after withdrawing from the competition.
Many critics labelled Biles a 'quitter' and despite the Olympian finding overwhelming support, she felt the need to shut down the noise from outside the Olympic village.
“For anyone saying I quit, I didn’t quit,” Biles wrote on Friday.
“My mind and body are simply not in sync … I don’t think you realise how dangerous this is on [a] hard competition surface.
“I chose not to continue team competition [so not to jeopardise] losing a medal (of any colour) for the girls/US,” she added.
“Also for my own safety and health.”
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