Russians Win Gymnastics Gold After Biles Exit
Jul 27, 2021, 7:14 AM
(Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
TOKYO (AP) — The Russian Olympic Committee has won the gold medal in women’s gymnastics after U.S. star Simone Biles exited with a medical issue.
The Russian gymnasts posted a team score of 169.528, ahead of the U.S. in second place at 166.096. The gold is the first for the Russians since the Unified Team triumphed in Barcelona in 1992 and came a day after the men’s team edged Japan for the top spot in the men’s final.
Women's Gymnastics Team Final:
Russian Olympic Committee wins GOLD. 🥇
Team USA wins SILVER. 🥈#TokyoOlympics #Tokyo2020 #Olympics @kslsports— Shara Park (@KSLSharaPark) July 27, 2021
Great Britain won bronze.
Simone Biles’ Exit
Biles pulled out of the Olympic gymnastics team final. The news was announced on NBC’s live broadcast of the event Tuesday morning.
Later in the broadcast, it was announced that Biles’ exit was a “medical issue” and she would be assessed for “competitive readiness.”
Official statement: "Simone Biles has withdrawn from the team final competition due to a medical issue. She will be assessed daily to determine medical clearance for future competitions."
Thinking of you, Simone! pic.twitter.com/QA1GYHwWTv
— USA Gymnastics (@USAGym) July 27, 2021
There was some back and forth on whether or not the issue was physical injury or a “mental issue”.
An official announcement from Team USA confirmed the above statement.