Simone Biles takes herself out of fifth Olympic event

U.S. gymnastics star Simone Biles has taken herself out of the women’s final for floor competitions at the Tokyo Olympics, marking the fifth event from which she was withdrawn.

USA Gymnastics announced Biles’s decision on Saturday, adding that she would decide whether or not to compete on the beam later this week.

“Either way, we’re all behind you, Simone,” the organization tweeted.

Simone has withdrawn from the event final for floor and will make a decision on beam later this week. Either way, we’re all behind you, Simone.

— USA Gymnastics (@USAGym) August 1, 2021

On Friday, Biles withdrew from the vault and uneven bars event finals following “further consultation with medical staff.”

Biles has stated that she is focusing on her mental health and decided to withdraw to ensure a good performance by Team USA. She is currently dealing with what gymnasts refer to as the “twisties,” which is when a competitor cannot tell where their body is in relation to the floor. According to Biles, she did not want to risk injury while competing.

“We’re going to take it one day at a time,” Biles said when she first announced she would be withdrawing from Team USA’s finals last week.

Biles’s decision to withdraw drew scorn from mostly right-wing figures, though she has also received support from people including former first lady Michelle Obama and former teammate Aly Raisman.