Psaki: Simone Biles “always the GOAT”

White House press secretary Jen psakiJen PsakiOvernight Health Care – Brought to you by the National Council for Mental Wellness – Progressive: Extending ‘non-negotiable’ health insurance benefits Texas governor opens new front on vaccines forces Biden to meet in person the President of Kenya in the White House MORE said Simone Biles was “still the GOAT” after the superstar athlete unexpectedly retired from the US women’s Olympic gymnastics team final on Tuesday.

“Gratitude and support is what Simone Biles deserves,” Psaki wrote in a Twitter post shortly after Biles’ shock exit.

USA Gymnastics said Biles was withdrawing due to a “medical problem”. Several outlets reported that the decorated gymnast’s withdrawal was due to her mental health and not a physical injury.

Biles, 24, said she was “fighting these demons,” according to the New York Times.

“At the end of the day, I have to do what was right for me,” Biles said. “It just sucks that this happened at the Olympics.”

Biles did not say if she would enter the all-around later this week.

Saying that Biles should always be considered the greatest of all time, or GOAT, Psaki added, “We’re all lucky to be able to see her in action.”

The White House spokeswoman also praised the “nail-hard” women’s gymnastics team, which won a silver medal in the team event. The Russian team won gold.

Gratitude and support is what @Simone_Biles deserved. Always the GOAT and we are all lucky to be able to see it in action. And congratulations and thanks to the tough guys #TeamUSA @sunisalee_ , @ChilesJordan, @ grace_mccallum2 to be role models and champions

– Jen Psaki (@jrpsaki) July 27, 2021