Tokyo 2020: Simone Biles out of gymnastics women’s team final

Reigning Olympic gymnastics champion Simone Biles was forced to withdraw from the women’s team finals because of a “medical issue”.

She was replaced in the competition by Jordan Chiles and returned to support her teammates, but was only able to watch as the ROC clinched the gold medal. The ROC team had already outscored the USA in the qualifying competition, and a sublime performance from 16-year-old Viktoria Listunova.

It was the first time the USA has lost a major gymnastics team competition since 2010 – they came second, and performed admirably without their star athlete.

Team GB secured a surprise bronze after brilliant performances from Jessica and Jennifer Gadirova, Amelie Morgan and Alice Kinsella.

In the opening rotation, Biles had attempted a vault. As she launched herself into the air, her form deteriorated – she managed one and a half twists before a messy landing, for which she received an extremely low score of 13.700. After that, she was surrounded by her coaches and whisked from the arena by one of the team’s trainers.

A statement from USA Gymnastics read: “Simone Biles has withdrawn from the team final competition due to a medical issue.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.”

Biles is the most successful US gymnast of all time and winner of four gold medals and a bronze at Rio 2016.

The 30-time Olympic and World Championship medallist needs four podium finishes in Tokyo to become the most decorated gymnast – male or female – in history.

She has reached all five individual finals and was next due to compete on Thursday, where she would have attempted to become the first woman to retain the Olympic all-around title since 1968. However, she has since pulled out of that event as well, and will announce over the next few days if she will be competing in next week’s events.