1:15
Biles had qualified in all six of the women's gymnastics finals at the Tokyo Olympics -- team, individual all-around, vault, uneven bars, balance beam and floor. She was on track to win an unprecedented six gold medals during the Games, with the aim of becoming the first woman since 1968 to win back-to-back titles in the all-around -- a competition that tests individual gymnasts on each of the four apparatuses.
Dominique Dawes, a four-time Olympic medalist who competed at the 1992, 1996 and 2000 Olympic Games, applauded Biles' decision to put herself first instead of succumbing to pressure and risking physical injury.
\"[She] really got lost in the air and if that does happen there is a mental block there and the concern is not only for your mental health but physical health,\" said Dawes. \"And she knew if she was not going to be on her 'A' game, Team USA would not be on top of the podium or maybe even get on the podium.\"
\"What I respect most about her is she's listening to her inner voice and she made a decision that was best for her,\" she said, adding of her own experience: \"During the 2000 Olympic trials I actually quit after [preliminaries]. It was too much on me emotionally; however, I was not able to make that decision. It was very much a controlled atmosphere.\"
Biles' skill level is so great that the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) gave the double-double dismount on the balance beam, a signature move by Biles, a lower value because it was considered essentially a safety risk for other gymnasts to try.
![\"PHOTO:](\"http://a.abcnews.com/images/GMA/simone-biles-multi-exposure-file-gty-jef-210728_1627487888275_hpEmbed_17x11_384.jpg\")
\"There is added risk in landing of double saltos for Beam dismounts (with/without twists), including a potential landing on the neck. Reinforcing, there are many examples in the Code where decisions have been made to protect the gymnasts and preserve the direction of the discipline,\" the federation said in a 2019 statement. \"The WTC's task is to ensure the safety of all athletes around the world and decisions are not based purely on one gymnast.\"
Another skill achieved by Biles, the Yurchenko double pike on vault, is considered so dangerous that Biles' coach said the gymnast would have to \"beg\" her to execute it at the Olympics.
In May, at the 2021 U.S. Classic, Biles became the first woman to ever perform the skill in competition.
Always amazed by you, @Simone_Biles! Keep shining — we're rooting for you! 😍✨
— Michelle Obama (@MichelleObama) May 23, 2021
pic.twitter.com/Z5bbYIu95a
\"If she really wants to do it, she's going to have to beg me,\" Laurent Landi told \"On Her Turf\" earlier this month. \"People seem to forget that it's a very, very dangerous skill … just to have glory and being [in] the Code of Points, it's not enough.\"
I'm sorry but I can't believe I competed a double pike on vault
— Simone Biles (@Simone_Biles) May 25, 2021
Jacoby Miles, a Washington woman who says she was paralyzed from the chest down due to a gymnastics accident at age 15, took to Instagram to applaud Biles for prioritizing her mental health.
\"I experienced those mental blocks throughout my career as a gymnast, and to be quite blunt, it only took one bad time of getting lost in the air in a big flip to break my neck and leave me paralyzed,\" Miles wrote. \"So I'm so, so glad she decided to not continue until she's mentally recovered. Especially at her skill difficulty.\"
A post from former gymnast Jacoby Miles on Instagram about how dangerous the \"twisties\" can be.
— Susie (@Gymtertainment) July 28, 2021
(TLDR: She broke her neck and is now paralyzed.)#SimoneBiles made the smart and correct choice today. pic.twitter.com/EkOeLfgd5J
Jade Carey, a 21-year-old gymnast from Arizona who had the ninth-highest score in qualifications, will compete in Biles' place in the all-around on Thursday, according to USA Gymnastics.
Biles still has the option to compete later this week in the individual finals for vault, uneven bars, balance beam and floor.
ABC News' Rachel Katz, Morgan Winsor and Alexandra Svokos contributed to this report.
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