Simone Biles: “I didn’t want to risk a medal for my mistakes”

Ariake Gymnastics Center Gymnastics Center, Tokyo (CNN) Simone Biles withdrew from the women’s gymnastics team event, the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee confirmed to CNN. The United States took the silver medal.

Simone Biles withdrew from the women’s team gymnastics team event, USOPC confirmed to CNN. No further explanation was given about Biles’ withdrawal.

A CNN crew that attended the event saw Biles sitting on the sidelines in a tracksuit with her foot on the belt. After the event Biles assured that he does not have a physical problem and his departure was to benefit the team.

“Fortunately I was not injured and so I took a step back because I did not want to do something stupid and injure myself. I thought it was best if the girls took over and did the rest of the work, which they absolutely did. “

Biles recognized the pressure that these Games have meant, which he described as stressful and accused different variables such as the crowd and the length of the process to get to Tokyo as incident factors in the pressure carried by the athletes.

“These Olympics have been really stressful. I think generally not having an audience: there are a lot of different variables that come into play. It’s been a long week, a long Olympic process. It’s been a long year, so many variables. different. I think we’re too stressed. We should be here having fun. “

Biles was looking to add to his spoils of four gold medals won at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

The moment of withdrawal

Biles withdrew from the women’s team final after leaving the field to be treated by the coach. Returning with one foot tightly bound, but not warming up for uneven bars, US second fixture Jordan Chiles began warming up to take Biles’ place.
Biles was looking to add to his spoils of four gold medals won at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

“I just felt that it would be a little better to step aside and work on my mindfulness. I knew the girls would do a great job and I didn’t want to risk a medal for my mistakes, because they worked too hard for that, “the multiple world champion said in a press conference after the event.

The United States was looking for the third consecutive time to win the women’s team event, but the departure of Biles impacted the team’s performance. Russian gymnasts representing the Russian Olympic Committee took the gold and Great Britain secured bronze in a close decision against the Italians.