Simone Biles won't compete in individual vault or uneven bars Olympic finals
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Simone Biles will not compete in the individual vault or uneven bars finals at the Tokyo Olympics, USA Gymnastics announced Friday.
Why it matters: USA Gymnastics said Biles, who previously withdrew from the individual all-around and team finals to prioritize her mental health, will continue to be evaluated to determine if she'll compete in the balance beam or floor exercise events.
What they're saying: "After further consultation with medical staff, Simone Biles has decided to withdraw from the event finals for vault and the uneven bars," USA Gymnastics said in a statement.
- "She will continue to be evaluated daily to determine whether to compete in the finals for floor exercise and balance beam."
- "We remain in awe of Simone, who continues to handle this strength with courage and grace, and all of the athletes who have stepped up during these unexpected circumstances."
Biles opened up about her decision to withdraw on Instagram this week, telling fans she started experiencing what gymnasts call the twisties after the preliminary round.
- The condition occurs when an athlete enters a state of disassociation that affects skills performance and can lead to serious injury.
- "It's honestly petrifying trying to do a skill but not having your mind and body in sync," she wrote. "Literally can not tell up from down. It's the craziest feeling ever. Not having an inch of control over your body."
- "What's even scarier is since I have no idea where I am in the air I also have NO idea how I am going to land. Or what I am going to land on."
- "I didn't have a bad performance and quit," she added. "I simply got so lost my safety was at risk as well as a team medal."
What to watch: Jade Carey and MyKayla Skinner will fill in for Biles in vault finals. They had the second- and fourth-highest scores in vault qualifications, respectively.
Go deeper: Simone Biles lauded for "bravery in prioritizing" mental wellness
