Simone Biles Withdraws From Olympic Gymnastics Team Final

American Olympic superstar Simone Biles has retired from the team final in Tokyo after only one piece of apparatus, because of a 'medical issue' that has thrown her further involvement in the gymnastics into doubt.

Biles took a large stumble when sticking the dismount of her vault effort, and scored only 13.766 points, the lowest of any athlete in her rotation.

Widely considered as one of the greatest gymnasts of all time, the 24-year-old left the arena straight after her vault, before returning in her team tracksuit and not competing in the next rotation on the uneven bars.

It was later announced that she would take no further part in the team final, with her participation in the rest of the games in doubt.

A statement from USA Gymnastics read: "Simone Biles has withdrawn from the team final competition due to a medical issue."

Biles - a four-time Olympic gold medallist after her breakout debut in Rio - has already qualified for the finals of every individual apparatus and is top of the all-around standings, meaning that she can still win a potential six golds at the delayed 2020 games.

However, it remains unclear whether she will contest those finals after this withdrawal.

The statement continued: "She will be assessed daily to determine medical clearance for future competitions."

Despite qualifying for all of the finals, Biles - perhaps the most recognisable face at the games - has looked below-par, and struggled to attain the lofty heights of her Rio 2016 performance.

On the day before her appearance in the team final, Biles had shared an uncharacteristically personal message about the pressures that she has faced on her journey to the top, as well as being the face of Team USA at these games.

She wrote: "It wasn't an easy day or my best but I got through it.

"I truly do feel like I have the weight of the world on my shoulders at times.

"I know I brush it off and make it seem like pressure doesn't affect me but damn sometimes it's hard hahaha!

"The Olympics is no joke! BUT I'm happy my family was able to be with me virtually.

"They mean the world to me!"

It remains to be seen whether Biles' Olympics are over or not, but the games will certainly lose one of its biggest stars if she takes no further part.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Simone Biles, SPORT, World News, olympics, Celebrity, US News, Japan

Tom Wood

Tom Wood is a LADbible journalist and Twin Peaks enthusiast. Despite having a career in football cut short by a chronic lack of talent, he managed to obtain degrees from both the University of London and Salford. According to his French teacher, at the weekend he mostly likes to play football and go to the park with his brother. Contact Tom on [email protected]

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