Psaki: Simone Biles ‘still the GOAT’
White House press secretary Jen Psaki says Simone Biles is “still the GOAT,” after the superstar athlete unexpectedly withdrew Tuesday from the U.S. women’s Olympic gymnastics team final.
“Gratitude and support are what Simone Biles deserves,” Psaki wrote in a Twitter post shortly after Biles’s shock exit.
USA Gymnastics said Biles was withdrawing due to a “medical issue.” Multiple outlets reported that the decorated gymnast’s withdrawal was because of mental health and not a physical injury.
Biles, 24, said she was “fighting those demons,” according to The New York Times.
“At the end of the day, I have to do what was right for me,” Biles said. “It just sucks that it happened at the Olympic Games.”
Biles has not said if she will compete in the individual all-around competition later this week.
Saying Biles should still be considered the greatest of all time, or GOAT, Psaki added, “We are all just lucky to be able to see her in action.”
The White House spokeswoman also offered congratulations to the “tough as nails” women’s gymnastics team, which earned a silver medal in the team event. The Russian team took home the gold.
Gratitude and support are what @Simone_Biles deserves. Still the GOAT and we are all just lucky to be able to see her in action. And congrats and tks to the tough as nails #TeamUSA @sunisalee_ , @ChilesJordan, @grace_mccallum2 for being role models and champs
— Jen Psaki (@jrpsaki) July 27, 2021
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