2020, uh, 21, uh, who knows Tokyo Olympics thread

I think the answer lies in what Simone said. She didn't want to jeopardize what her teammates were trying to accomplish. She was feeling like she didn't want to let them down. I think she might compete in the individual events because then it will only be about her and if she fails, she's only failed for herself.

 

I’m just glad Biles was able to give us this enthralling Rovell v Travis Twitter fight

 

I wonder if she'll skip the all-around and maybe do some of the individual exercises.

 

Good grief, I want to make that woman a cup of cocoa and let her sit somewhere quiet.

 

Just so we’re clear: She competed in one rotation then withdrew. She didn’t decide before. She decided during.

I don’t know the rules so I can’t say if, had she withdrawn before the vault, an alternate could have been used.

In essence, what happened was her withdrawal left the US with no margin for error. The three who competed had to have their scores count.

 

There are four full team members. The United States also got two spots for athletes who can only compete in individual events, not the all around. However, all three scores from each country count on each apparatus.

Even though I expected it, NBC airing the replay like nothing happened -- after reporting on Simone Biles all damn day -- feels totally wrong.

 

So if Biles, for example, had tested positive for COVID, there aren’t any alternates?

 

what point are you trying to make?

 

Even knowing what happened, the NBC broadcast seems surreal.

 

In gymnastics this year, you have four members on the team, and three can compete on each event. All three scores count. Without Biles, the U.S. wasn't winning gold anyway - they lost by like 3 points - and fundamentally, the only thing that changed was that Jordan Chiles now had to compete on bars and beam, I believe. If Biles had pulled out before the competition, then Skinner or Carey could have subbed in, but neither one of them is making up the difference.

 

Thanks for the clarification regarding the broadcast, @MileHigh. I didn't watch from the beginning since so much of the early prime-time broadcast has been pre-recorded, and I've streamed what is of interest to me.

Possibly not. One of the American alternates, Kara Eaker, tested positive for COVID before the Opening Ceremony. The other alternate, Leanne Wong, was quarantined as a close contact.

I'm still confused by the published report linked earlier regarding Simone Biles having an existing injury, when all she's disclosed is "mental's not there."