The U.S. women’s gymnastics team has taken silver in the women’s team final, after U.S. star Simone Biles suddenly pulled out of competition after the first rotation to focus on her mental health.
This marks the first time in a decade that the U.S. women’s team has not come out on top in major international competition. The U.S. has won every Olympics and World Championships event since 2011.
After a difficult first vault, Biles said she pulled her coaches aside and said she wanted to withdraw.
“I can’t risk a medal for the team, so I need to call it. And you usually don’t hear me say things like that because I usually persevere and push through things,” she said, and added that her coaches and team doctor took her words seriously.
“Today has been really stressful,” she said. The team worked out in the morning, and in the 5 1/2 hours before competition, she said she started shaking.
“I’ve just never felt like this going into a competition before. I tried to go out here and have fun … but once I came out here, I was like, ‘no, mental is not there, so I just need to let the girls do it and focus on myself.”
She made clear that she was not physically injured.
Biles’ departure from competition was a blow for her three teammates, who are all first-time Olympians. She was expected to compete on all four apparatuses, and teammates stepped in for her on the uneven bars, balance beam and floor exercise.
“There was definitely a lot of emotions going through all of our heads, but I’m really proud that we were able to step up to the plate and do what we needed to do,” said Sunisa Lee, who stepped in for Biles on the floor exercise.
“It’s very hard to lose a teammate, especially at the Olympic Games, so I was really proud of all of us.”
After pulling out, Simone Biles remained in the arena wearing white warmup gear, rather than the team leotard, and hugged her teammates. She could be seen jumping to celebrate their strong performances.