Russia wins gold in women's gymnastics, U.S. takes silver as Simon Biles exits the team

The withdrawal of the American champion in women's gymnastics gives an open door for the Russians to win first place

By Edward Era Barbacena 

It is surely a Russian invasion in the events of gymnastic in Tokyo Olympic.  Yesterday the russian men bagged the gold out casting China and Japan, and on the 3rd day of the Olympics, the Russian women unexpectedly out shadow the U.S. women's team.  

Russia's women gymnastics team capitalized on the dramatic departure of Simone Biles from the U.S. team to win the Olympic title on Tuesday.

Simon Biles

The U.S. team withdrew Biles from the final after a disappointing opening vault and Russia went on to beat the champions from the last two Games by more than three points.

Britain took a surprise bronze medal.

Led by Angelina Melnikova, the Russians emulated their men's team who won gold 24 hours earlier.

Competing under a neutral banner due to their country's doping suspension, Russia was ending a sequence of domination by the U.S. women in world and Olympic finals stretching back to 2011.

But the main focus of attention at the Ariake Gymnastics Centre was Biles, who arrived at the Tokyo Games with hopes of bettering the Olympic gymnastics record of golds for a single competitor, held by Soviet great Larisa Latynina.

After leaving the competition floor momentarily, Biles returned having been dropped from the three concluding rotations and cheered on her teammates.

Angelina Melnikova, Vladislava Urazova  and Liliia Akhaimova of the Russian Olympic Committee react wearing face protective face masks during the Tokyo Olympics gymnastics team final on July 27, 2021. REUTERS/Dylan Martinez

The Russian athletes collapsed in joy after Angelina Melnikova's floor routine score assured them of the top spot.

The Americans hung in there for silver even without Biles. The 24-year-old U.S. star, considered to be the greatest gymnast of all time, huddled with a trainer after landing her vault. She then exited the competition floor with the team doctor.

USA Gymnastics said in a statement she had been withdrawn from the final because of an unspecified "medical issue" and would be assessed daily to determine whether she can continue in the Games.