Simone Biles, the world’s finest gymnast, has been praised by mental health advocates for prioritizing her health after withdrawing from the women’s all-around gymnastics final at the Tokyo Olympics.

Former US First Lady Michelle Obama, fellow athletes, and commentators have all backed Biles’ decision. Biles is widely regarded as the best gymnast of all time.

Biles, 24, withdrew from the competition after a medical evaluation determined that she was not fit to compete.

After her vault, the 24-year-old withdrew from the competition, stating, “I have to focus on my mental health.”

A statement from USA Gymnastics says. “After further medical evaluation, Simone Biles has withdrawn from the final individual all-around competition. We wholeheartedly support Simone’s decision and applaud her bravery in prioritising her wellbeing. Her courage shows, yet again, why she is a role model for so many.”

Obama said on Twitter, “[Simone Biles] we are proud of you and we are rooting for you.”

On Wednesday, Rethink Mental Illness was among many who praised the Olympian. “Everyone needs to prioritise their mental health, even the best athletes in the world. Simone Biles’s decision to withdraw from an Olympics final will not have been taken lightly, and it’s great to see the support she received from her teammates.”

“You’ve made us so proud,” said Sarah Hirshland, the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee’s chief executive.

“We applaud your decision to prioritise your mental wellness over all else and offer you the full support and resources of our Team USA community as you navigate the journey ahead.”

Pau Gasol, a Spanish basketball player and Olympian, said Biles’ decision highlighted an important reality: “Mental health is a key component of our health, and it MUST be a priority always”.

He said on Twitter, “We need the sports world to focus on emotional and mental well-being a lot more.” “Thank you for using your platform, you are a true champion!”

“I say put mental health first because if you don’t then you’re not going to enjoy your sport and you’re not going to succeed as much as you want to,” Biles said during a news conference on Tuesday.

“So it’s OK sometimes to even sit out the big competitions to focus on yourself because it shows how strong of a competitor and person that you really are, rather than just battle through it.”

After winning five consecutive global championships in 2011, 2014, 2015, 2018, and 2019, as well as back-to-back Olympic gold medals in London and Rio, the United States were the favorites for gold.

After an unusually weak vault, Biles, who won four golds at the 2016 Rio Olympics, withdrew from the women’s team competition — in which a country’s team’s highest scores in the four major gymnastics events are combined to select a champion – on Tuesday.

The charity Mind also praised Biles for her courage when she walked away from the women’s team competition, writing on Twitter.

“Working in elite sports like gymnastics comes with unimaginably high levels of pressure, perfectionism, scrutiny, and comparison. Simone Biles is incredibly brave for speaking out, and highlighting the importance of looking after your mental heath.

“Simone is a role model for women and girls everywhere. She deserves our applause, respect, appreciation – and above all our support right now.”

Biles left the stadium after earning 13.766, her lowest Olympic vault score, but returned to cheer on her teammates as they won silver behind the Russian Olympic Committee and Great Britain.

In a post-event news conference, she explained her decision in detail.

“At the end of the day, we’re human, too, so we have to protect our mind and our body rather than just go out there and do what the world wants us to do,” she said. “With the year that it’s been, I’m really not surprised how it played out.”

Biles putting her mental health first, according to Mental Health America in the United States, is “just one more thing that makes her the #GOAT.” “On the world stage, she’s bravely showing us all that maintaining one’s mental health is as important as physical health. Full stop. We wish her the best.”

“Don’t know about you but I think Simone Biles just empowered everyone to put their mental wellbeing above everything else. What a queen. GOAT in more ways than one,” Jamaican gymnast Danusia Francis remarked.

The International Olympic Committee has backed Biles’ choice, with spokesperson Mark Adams stating, “We have huge respect and support for her.” “Mental health is an incredibly important issue. Are we doing enough? I hope so, I think so. But like everyone else in the world we can do more on this issue,” he said.

Biles has not said if she would participate in the individual competitions for each of the talents in the coming days, stating that she is taking things “day by day.”