The seven-time United States national all-around champion, Simone Biles will make her Olympic return after withdrawing from final events in the gymnastics sporting discipline. Biles had earlier stunned the Tokyo Games when she dropped out of the team competition following a poor opening vault and then decided not to defend her all-around crown. The 4 foot 9 inch incredible gymnast went on to speak with remarkable candour about her decision, saying she needed to consider her mental and physical wellbeing.
The 2016 Olympic gymnastics champion will now return to competition in the balance beam final today, August 3rd. “We are so excited to confirm that you will see two U.S. athletes in the balance beam final tomorrow; Suni Lee and Simone Biles! Can’t wait to watch you both!” USA Gymnastics said in a statement.
The 24-year-old Biles won bronze on beam in Rio de Janeiro five years ago and qualified for the eight-woman final at the Ariake Gymnastics Centre on the first weekend of the Games. Since July 26th, the American has been on the sidelines watching as her fellow teammates completed the meet without her; the U.S. took silver behind the team known as the Russian Olympic Committee.
More to her withdrawal, Biles was widely embraced as the latest elite athlete who had the courage to acknowledge her vulnerability. The American entered the Tokyo Olympic Games more than a superstar gymnast. She had become a leading voice against sexual abuse by speaking up about the crimes of Lawrence G. Nasser, the former doctor for the United States Women's gymnastics team and Michigan State University athletics.
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