Gymnast Simone Biles commented after she and her teammates faltered in the early rounds of womenβs artistic gymnastics qualifications at Ariake Gymnastics Centre on Sunday.
βI feel we did a pretty good job. Obviously, there are little things we need to work on, so weβll go back and practice and work on that, just so we can do our best performance at team finals (on Tuesday), because thatβs what matters. Weβre really striving for top three (finish).β
The US team currently stands in second place behind ROC after three of five subdivisions.
US high-performance team coordinator Tom Forster said the team “had great performances today and some not-so-great ones, but the errors we made are mental.”
“These girls have been training incredibly well, so itβs things we have some time to work on before finals, and weβll do it,” he said.
On the reasons for the USA teamβs errors, which included some extra steps and unsteady landings, Forster said, βIf youβve ever been in competition, itβs just nerves of being in competition.β
Forster said that Biles’ errors, including taking three large steps on her balance beam dismount, was a “surprise,” adding, “Iβve never seen her do that before.”
βThat was a surprise. Sheβs been incredibly consistent and Iβm sure she feels bad, but Iβm super proud of the way she trained. Sheβs been a great leader for us. Sometimes, just like in other sports, great athletes drop the ball in the end zone or a quarterback throws an interception. It happens. Those steps are mental errors.β
He said the second-place position in qualifying could be “a great awakening” for the US team.
Naomi Osaka feels “refreshed and happy” as she kicks off her Olympic campaign with a victory