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
Russia’s women gymnastics team capitalized on the dramatic departure of Simone Biles from the US team to win the Olympic title on Tuesday.
The US 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 its country’s doping suspension, Russia was ending a sequence of domination by the US women in world and Olympic finals stretching back to 2011.
Simone Biles of the United States wearing a protective face mask is seen leaving a medical station during the final 0f the Tokyo Olympics gymanstics team final. REUTERS/Dylan Martinez
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.
USA Gymnastics said in a statement she had been withdrawn from the final because of an unspecified “medical issue” and would be assessed daily to determine whether she can continue in the Games.