American gymnastics superstar Simone Biles will contest the women's beam event on Tuesday, USA Gymnastics tweeted, making a return to competition after withdrawing from several events citing mental health struggles.
Biles, the women's 2016 Olympic gold medalist in floor, vault, all-around and team, will look to win her first gold on the balance beam.
We are so excited to confirm that you will see two U.S. athletes in the balance beam final tomorrow - Suni Lee AND Simone Biles!! Can’t wait to watch you both!
— USA Gymnastics (@USAGym) August 2, 2021
"We are so excited to confirm that you will see two U.S. athletes in the balance beam final tomorrow -- Suni Lee AND Simone Biles!! Can't wait to watch you both," USA Gymnastics tweeted on Monday.
The 24-year-old pulled out of the Tokyo Games women's team event after just one rotation, sending shockwaves across the gymnastics world as fans and media tried to determine what had happened.
She later withdrew from the individual all-around, floor, vault and uneven bars.
Biles said soon after her decision to step back from the team event that she wanted to allow her teammates to "do their work" which they did and won silver.
"At the end of the day, I have to do what's right for me and focus on my mental health, and not jeopardize my health and well-being," she said.
"I just don't trust myself as much as I used to. I don't know if it's age. I'm a little bit more nervous when I do gymnastics. I feel like I'm also not having as much fun, and I know that this Olympic Games, I wanted it to be for myself."
Biles and Lee will compete on the beam on Tuesday evening at the Ariake Gymnastics Centre.