Simone Biles set for return to Olympics action in balance beam final
Simone Biles will return to action in Tuesday night’s Olympic balance beam final, exactly a week after she pulled out of the women’s team event.
Biles stunned the world when she bowed out mid-competition during last week’s final after struggling in her sole display on the vault.
The 24-year-old subsequently spoke of her mental health struggles, admitting she felt the “weight of the world” on her shoulders, and also revealed she was suffering from the “twisties” a phenomenon where gymnasts lose their bearings in mid-air and therefore find it hard to land safely.
Biles subsequently pulled out of the women’s all-around final, where she would have been looking to become the first person to defend an Olympic title in more than 50 years, as well as individual finals on the uneven bars, vault and floor.
However, USA Gymnastics have now confirmed that the four-time Olympic champion will line up alongside teammate Sunisa Lee - who won the all-around title in Biles’ absence - and look to improve on the bronze she won on the beam in Rio.
The 24-year-old subsequently spoke of her mental health struggles, admitting she felt the “weight of the world” on her shoulders, and also revealed she was suffering from the “twisties” a phenomenon where gymnasts lose their bearings in mid-air and therefore find it hard to land safely.
Biles subsequently pulled out of the women’s all-around final, where she would have been looking to become the first person to defend an Olympic title in more than 50 years, as well as individual finals on the uneven bars, vault and floor.
However, USA Gymnastics have now confirmed that the four-time Olympic champion will line up alongside teammate Sunisa Lee - who won the all-around title in Biles’ absence - and look to improve on the bronze she won on the beam in Rio.