Simone Biles was easily the biggest star in gymnastics coming to Tokyo, but things have not been going well for her so far. As the women’s gymnastics team final approached on Tuesday night, something felt off for the American star, so she decided to quit.
The United States gymnast opened up about her mental state after withdrawing and watching the team win the silver medal, as the Russian Olympic Committee won gold.
“I didn’t want to go into any of the other events second-guessing myself,” Biles said. “So, I thought it would be better if I took a step back and let these girls go out there and do their job.”
Biles posted on social media Monday that she felt the weight of the world on her shoulders and it affected her practicing and confidence.
“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!” Biles wrote on Instagram.
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Biles was scheduled to do an “Amanar” vault that requires a roundoff back handspring onto the table followed by 2 1/2 twists, but she only did a 1 1/2 twists with a big leap forward after an awkward landing. She soon headed to the back while her teammates moved on to uneven bars without her.
When Biles returned several minutes later, she hugged her teammates and took off her bar grips. Her night was done.
“It’s very uncharacteristic of me,” Biles said. “So it just sucks that it happens here at the Olympic Games than have it happen at any other time. But, you know, with the year that it’s been, I’m really not surprised.”
Biles is scheduled to defend her Olympic title in the all-around final on Thursday.
