United States gymnast Simone Biles withdrew from the individual all-around competition at the Tokyo Olympics early Wednesday morning to focus on her mental well-being.
This comes less than a day after Biles took herself out of the team final after one rotation.
"You have to be there 100 percent," Biles told reporters after the meet after the team final Tuesday morning. "If not, you get hurt. Today has been really stressful. ... I have never felt like this going into a competition, and I tried to go out and have fun. But once I came out, I was like, 'No. The mental is not there.'"
The decision by Biles, a four-time Olympic gold medalist, was met with heartfelt support from teammates Jordan Chiles, Sunisa Lee and Grace McCallum.
"I'm more than my accomplishments and gymnastics," Biles wrote on social media, "which I never truly believed before."
She also expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support she has received.
the outpouring love & support I've received has made me realize I'm more than my accomplishments and gymnastics which I never truly believed before. 🤍
— Simone Biles (@Simone_Biles) July 29, 2021