World class gymnast Simone Biles stumbled and lost her balance upon landing during the women’s gymnastics team finals at the Olympic Games in Tokyo on Monday. Later she left the arena to be checked out by a medical official. She returned saying everything checked out well physically, but only to cheer on her team mates. Even with a few flubs she had still made finals. The next day she withdrew from the team competition and they went on without her to win the silver medal.
She had been billed as the athlete to watch in the promotions for the Olympics being recognized as a huge draw for viewership. Then, the unimaginable happened -- Simone Biles decided not to participate in Tokyo.
When Biles withdrew from team competition during the Tokyo Olympics fans had hoped to see her perform in the individual all-around competition that she won in the Rio Olympics. She has decided to sit this year out saying in a press conference, "[Mental] is not there." The star gymnast admitted that she got the "twisties" while in the air. That is gymnastics talk for getting confused in the middle of an exercise, which could be dangerous.
"I just need to let the girls do it and focus on myself." Biles said she had already tried to be positive and get rest but that didn't work and she felt differently about this competition, ultimately concluding that she was not mentally prepared to participate.
Fans are disappointed they will not see Biles perform but most are pleased she put her health and safety first. She is setting a good example for millions of fans who see her as a role model around the world by listening to her inner voice.
Update:
Simone Biles returned to the U.S. with a bronze medal in hand, after deciding to compete on the balance beam after a week of rest. It was the final event of the Olympics. Biles went up against 7 others. She placed her hand over her head after a solid dismount afrom waht appear to be a flawless routine. She score a solid 14.00. Watch Simone Biles Upin returning to the states she interviewed with NBCs Hoda Kotb and seemed opened to competing in the future.
Update:
By Friday several news outlets were reporting that Biles is still considering participating in the individual events this Sunday. She posted a video on Instagram showing she was unable to land. She explained that when the "twisties" happen you get completely disoriented and do not know up from down. She also appeared on the Today show in an interview further express she was not mentally ready to compete. It is being reported that she is looking at the situation on a daily basis as if there may be a chance but it appears it is up in the air.