Tokyo: Continuing to prioritise “mental health”, American gymnast Simone Biles pulled out of the individual floor exercise at the Tokyo Olympics. The 24-year-old is yet to decide regarding her participation in the balance beam.
USA Gymnastics announced Sunday that the six-time Olympic medalist has opted not to compete on floor, where she won gold in Rio de Janeiro and placed second in qualifying last week.
Jennifer Gadirova of Britain will replace Biles in the finals, which are scheduled for Monday.
Earlier, the American gymnast had also pulled out of Sunday’s vault and uneven bars gymnastics finals. The four-time Olympic champion had withdrawn from the women’s team final and individual all-around final, saying she had to focus on her mental health.
Biles has been dominant on floor exercise during her elite career, winning five world championships along with her triumph in Rio. Her innovative tumbling has redefined what is possible on the podium. She has two tumbling pass dismounts named after her in the sport’s Code of Points.
