Simon Biles Pulls out of Olympic Team Finals
Source: Team USA gymnastics star Simone Biles pulls out of Tokyo Olympics team final (link)
Simone Biles pulled out of the Olympic team final on Tuesday, leaving the competition after struggling to land a vault. According to USA Gymnastics spokeswoman Carol Fabrizio, the reason was a medical issue.
For the final three events, Biles stood on the sideline in her warm-ups, cheering her teammates. With the U.S. women cutting into Russia’s lead on balance beam, she danced alongside Jordan Chiles. Without her, though, the U.S. women did not have enough to match the Russians, who claimed gold by more than three points.
Biles left the competition floor moments after she struggled to land a vault that is second nature for her. On the team’s first event, she shockingly bailed on an Amanar – one of her more difficult vaults – and just barely landed a one-and-a-half.
A visibly upset Biles talked with one of her personal coaches, Cecile Landi, and the team doctor, Marcia Faustin. Though she put on her grips to prepare for uneven bars next, she left the competition floor.
When she returned, she took off her grips and put on her warm-ups.
It was unclear why Biles pulled out or if she was injured, but it is no doubt and unexpected development.
