Tokyo Olympics: Simone Biles’ aunt dies

Simone Biles’ aunt “unexpectedly” passed away while the gymnastics superstar was competing at the Tokyo Olympics.

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The 24-year-old withdrew from four individual finals for mental health reasons, but returned to competition on Tuesday and after winning bronze in the balance beam event, she told reporters she’d been hit by a personal tragedy on her father’s side.

And her coach, Cecile Canqueteau-Landi said: “That was another one, I was like, ‘Oh my God. This week needs to be over.’

“I asked her what do you need. And she said, ‘I just need some time.’ I said, ‘You call me, text me if you need anything I’ll be here. Whatever that is.’

“She called her parents. She said, ‘There’s nothing I can do from over here. So I’m just going to finish my week and when I get home we’ll deal with it.’ “

Simone Biles had “two sessions” with Team USA’s sports psychologist before being cleared to compete on Tuesday and her coach said she has been “openly talking about therapy.”

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Canqueteau-Landi insisted it is “too early” for Simone Biles to think about whether she’ll want to compete at the next Olympics in Paris in 2024.

She said: “Right now, it’s too early to say after the week she’s had. I don’t think she’s ready to commit to anything. And I wouldn’t blame her.

“She used to take one day at a time, you know, we’ve been saying that every day since we’ve been here, especially the past week. ‘One day at a time, let’s see how you feel, let’s see how you do, what do you want?’ It’s been mostly a partnership with her. She’s 24. She knows herself. I know her well, and that’s all we’ve been working on.”

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