Simone Biles And Valuing Mental Health, Mask And Vaccine Guidance, Child Tax Credit Options: Today’s Top Stories – NPR

Gregory Bull/AP

Simone Biles, the greatest gymnast of all time, will not compete in the individual all-around gymnastics final at the Tokyo Olympics on Thursday.

Biles is the defending champion for the sport's marquee individual event. She won by a huge margin at the 2016 games in Rio de Janeiro.

The announcement comes after she pulled out of the team final after a rocky opening vault on Tuesday, saying she needed to take care of her mental health.

"I've just never felt like this going into a competition before," she said. "I tried to go out here and have fun ... but once I came out here, I was like, 'no, the mental is not there, so I just need to let the girls do it and focus on myself.' "

USA Gymnastics was supportive of her decision to withdraw from Thursday's event and applauded "her bravery in prioritizing her well-being" in a statement. "Her courage shows, yet again, why she is a role model for so many," the organization added.

Jade Carey, who came to Tokyo as an event specialist, will take Biles' place in the all-around individual event. The 21-year-old had an exceptionally strong showing at the qualifying event, placing ninth overall. However, she was not chosen as a member of the U.S.' four-person team and did not compete in the team event on Tuesday after Biles' withdrawal.

The announcement does not mean this is the last we'll see of Biles; she could still compete in the individual event finals. USA Gymnastics said she'd be evaluated every day to determine whether she'll take part. She qualified in all four of the events.

Biles is one of several Olympic athletes garnering praise and support after speaking openly about the stress of the Games and the importance of prioritizing mental health others include legendary American swimmer Katie Ledecky and Japanese tennis star Naomi Osaka.

As Mandalit del Barco reports from Tokyo, Olympic organizers and Team USA brought mental health resources for athletes and staff in an especially stressful year.

"Besides the pressure to be the best, and besides the global pandemic, there's also the fact there are no spectators allowed to watch the Games in person," she explains. "There aren't any family members to hug after they win, there are no friends or family or fans to cheer them on from the stands."

Stress affects all of us, even if we're not Olympic athletes. Here are some more resources and suggested reading:

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Simone Biles And Valuing Mental Health, Mask And Vaccine Guidance, Child Tax Credit Options: Today's Top Stories - NPR