However, staying in the competition could have “robbed” the team of their medal - and could have ended in serious injury. Longtime fans of the gymnast were surprised to see her do anything other than power through in the face of adversity. “It’s just something we have to go in the gym and work on.” The Dancing With the Stars alum “got a little bit lost in the air” while attempting her risky skill, she explained. And they should be really proud of themselves for how well they did last-minute, having to. “I thought it was best if these girls took over and did the rest of the job - which they absolutely did, they’re Olympic silver medalists now.

“That’s why I took a step back, because I didn’t want to do something silly out there and get injured,” she told reporters after the medal ceremony.

Though she was seen consulting with the team’s training staff, Biles later confirmed that she “thankfully” didn’t have a physical injury.

Teammates Jordan Chiles, Suni Lee and Grace McCallum carried on without their leader, ultimately placing second behind the Russian Olympic Committee. In July 2021, the four-time Olympic gold medalist fell while trying to land a vault in the team final in Japan and subsequently took herself out of the competition. Simone Biles shocked the world when she bowed out of the Tokyo Olympics - but that wasn’t the first time she’d advocated for her mental health.

Mental reset quotes