Simone Biles Explains Why She Abruptly Quit Olympic Event

USA's Simone Biles waits for the final results of the artistic gymnastics women's team final during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Ariake Gymnastics Centre in Tokyo, Japan on July 27, 2021. Loic Venance/AFP via Getty Images

American gymnast Simone Biles said she abruptly stopped competing during the women’s gymnastics team final because she was dealing with mental problems.

Biles, speaking to reporters after the United States was beaten by Russia, said she “just felt like it would be a little bit better to take a back seat, to work on my mindfulness.”