TOKYO — USA Gymnastics has confirmed that Simone Biles will return to the Olympic floor to compete with her team in the Balance Beam Final.
“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!” came the tweet early Monday morning.
Last week, Biles withdrew from two more Tokyo Olympic finals following advice from the team’s medical staff.
“Today, after further consultation with medical staff, Simone Biles has decided to withdraw from the event finals for vault and the uneven bars. She will continue to be evaluated daily to determine whether to compete in the finals for floor exercise and balance beam,” USA Gymnastics said in a statement.
“MyKayla Skinner, who had the fourth-highest score in vault during qualifications, will compete in vault finals for the U.S. alongside Jade Carey, who finished with the second-highest score,” gymnastics officials said.
Biles also withdrew from both the women’s gymnastics team final and then the individual all-around final.
Many of Biles supporters have been supportive, not everybody has given the Olympic gold medalist the same grace.
Former Olympian Henry Cejudo, who won gold in 2008 in the freestyle-wrestling event in Beijing, criticized her decision to prioritize her mental health.
“I think there’s time for a little bit of tough love,” Cejudo said, adding, “sometimes we do need a nice kick in the a–.”
“People say the media created her and you know they put upon this pressure. Not really. They only give you a platform. It’s up to you to believe it and to accept it. If you start to think you’re the GOAT and the greatest of all time, then that’s on you.”
We don’t recall anybody asking for Cejudo’s opinion.
Welcome back, Simone!
