American gymnast Simone Biles has withdrawn from the apparatus finals on vault and bridge. Earlier, she dropped the individual all-around and broke off the team final early.
The top favorite for several gold medals this Olympics is struggling with mental problems. After withdrawing from the team finals, she gave a brief statement at a press conference: “Ultimately, we are all human beings. We need to protect our bodies and minds and not step into the arena recklessly because the outside world wants us to.”
Biles was Team USA’s great hope. Before the Olympics, she was seen as a contender for the all-around and at least three sets. In Tokyo, Biles was able to become the first gymnast in 53 years to extend her Olympic all-around title.
Floor and beam
The American gymnastics association US Gymnastics says in a statement that it is not yet clear whether she will gymnastics the finals on floor and beam. The floor final is scheduled for August 2, with the beam final the day after.
