Simone Biles explains that her withdrawal from the final of women's gymnastics was due to her mental health. (1:26).TOKYO -- Simone Biles, the Olympic gymnastics champion and defending Olympic champion has decided to withdraw from Thursday's individual all around competition at Tokyo Games in order to concentrate on her mental health.Biles, who had pulled herself out of the team final after one rotation on vault, made this decision. When speaking to media after the competition, she cited her mental state as the reason.USA Gymnastics released a statement Wednesday saying that Simone Biles had undergone a further medical evaluation and decided to withdraw from the Tokyo Olympic Games' final individual all-around competition. This was in order for her mental health to be addressed. We support Simone's decision, and we applaud her courage in prioritizing her health. She is an example for many because of her courage.Biles was the overwhelming favourite to be crowned individual all-around champion again. Her status was cast doubtful after Tuesday's performance. She told media that she was not sure if she could compete on Thursday.Jade Carey, who was ninth in qualifying, will replace Biles in the all around. Carey was initially disqualified because she was third in the American rankings, behind Sunisa Lee and Biles. International Gymnastics Federation rules restrict countries to two competitors per finals.USA Gymnastics stated that Biles will be evaluated prior to deciding whether she will take part in the individual events next week. Biles was able to qualify for the finals on each of the four apparatuses. This is something she did not do in 2016 when she won five medals at Rio de Janeiro Games. Sunday's events include vault and floor exercise, which are the first two individual events. Biles won gold at both Rio events.After Usain Bolt and Michael Phelps, the 24-year-old Biles arrived in Tokyo as the face of the Games. She won the qualifying final despite taking mandatory deductions for vault, beam and floor after a few shaky dismounts.On Monday, she posted on social media that she felt the world's weight on her shoulders. After vaulting in team finals, the weight was too much. She fell in midair, and she completed 1 twists rather than 2. Before leaving the field of play, she consulted Marcia Faustin, U.S. team physician.Biles returned home, took off her bargrips and hugged her teammates Sunisa Lee and Grace McCallum. She then became the team's cheerleader, winning silver behind Russia's Olympic Committee.Biles stated that "once I came out here [to compete]," I was like, "No, mental isn't there so I just need the girls to do it and concentrate on me," after the medal ceremony.This decision opens the possibility of the all-around, which was once a certainty. Rebeca Andrade from Brazil came second to Biles in qualifying. She was followed by Angelina Melnikova of ROC and Vladislava Urrazova. On Sunday, the four were separated by three-tenths (or a point)Carey is now in the final. This caps a remarkable trip for the Phoenix 21-year old. In an effort to accumulate enough points on World Cup circuit, Carey spent two years traveling around the world. She would then be eligible for an individual nomination spot. This would allow her to be in the Olympics, but not technically be part of the U.S. four-woman team.Carey was second on vault and third on floor in qualifying, earning her a trip to the event finals. Carey is now competing for an all around medal and replacing the great athlete in the sport.This report was contributed by The Associated Press.
