JAKARTA - The Tokyo Olympics on Wednesday are still waiting to see if legendary American gymnast Simone Biles will return to compete in the biggest multi-event championship in the world.
Biles rattled the Tokyo Olympics on Tuesday when he withdrew in the women's team event after scoring low in the opening discipline.
The 24-year-old gymnast said the pressure to live up to expectations and her pursuit of a record six gold medals left her with no choice but to leave citing reasons for her own mental health.
However Biles has not ruled out competing in the all-around again on Thursday where he will seek to defend his Olympic title.
"After this performance I've put in, I don't want to continue," said Biles, who won his sixth Olympic medal after being part of the US squad which then finished second behind Russia.
"We will see later on Thursday," he said as quoted by Antara from Reuters.
International Olympic Committee spokesman Mark Adams said Wednesday that the IOC respects and strongly supports Biles.
Adams, who declined to speculate on Biles' next move, said mental health remains a huge problem and it's an issue the organization has been trying to address for some time.
IOC President Thomas Bach was seen having a long chat with Biles on the floor of the Ariake Gymnastics Center Tuesday before the medal ceremony.
Biles has qualified for all six gymnastics finals and if he sweeps a gold medal in this Olympics he will collect 10 Summer Olympic gold medals making him the most medal-winning Olympian.
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