TOKYO: Simone Biles was mulling her Olympic future on Wednesday as athletes and public figures led an outpouring of support after her decision to withdraw from the women’s team gymnastics event over mental health concerns. US icon Biles, widely regarded as the greatest gymnast of all time and one of the biggest stars at the Tokyo Games, shocked the sporting world on Tuesday after abruptly pulling out of the team final following a lacklustre opening vault. The 24-year-old four-time Olympic champion later revealed she abandoned the competition due to concerns for her mental wellbeing. “I have to focus on my mental health,” Biles said. “I didn’t want to go out and do something stupid and get hurt… At the end of the day we don’t want to be carried out of there on a stretcher.” Biles’ decision has been widely hailed as a game-changing moment for elite sport, helping to dispel enduring stigmas surrounding mental health. It was unclear whether she plans to compete in the remainder of the Olympics. She is due to defend her individual all-around title on Thursday, and is also qualified for the individual apparatus finals on Sunday. Biles said late Tuesday she would assess her readiness to compete on a “day-by-day” basis. “Physically, I feel good, I’m in shape,” she said on NBC television’s Today program. “We’re going to take it day by day, and we’re just gonna see.” —agencies
