In a stunning development following their triumphant performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where Simone Biles secured her eighth Olympic medal and the U.S. women’s gymnastics team clinched gold in the team final, Fox News has reported somber news about the athletes.

The team’s historic achievement, which marked Biles as the most decorated gymnast in U.S. history, was overshadowed by this unexpected and tragic update.

Details about the nature of the sad news have yet to be fully disclosed, but it has sent waves of concern and sympathy across the sports community and beyond.

In a bittersweet turn of events, Fox News has reported troubling news concerning Simone Biles and the U.S. women’s gymnastics team, coming just hours after they claimed a historic gold medal at the 2025 Paris Olympic Games. The emotional high of their victory has been tempered by an unexpected announcement that could have lasting implications for the team and the sport.

According to the Fox News report, Biles, who once again led the team to Olympic glory, is facing a recurrence of the mental health challenges that prompted her partial withdrawal from the Tokyo 2021 Games. Sources close to the athlete say that while Biles performed exceptionally during the final competition, she experienced severe emotional and psychological strain in the days leading up to and following the event. A team spokesperson later confirmed that Biles would not be participating in any individual events for the remainder of the Games.

The news sent shockwaves through the gymnastics world, as Biles had been the face of the U.S. team’s campaign in Paris. Her electrifying performances on floor, vault, and beam played a crucial role in securing the team’s top podium finish, marking the United States’ fifth straight team gold medal. But behind the triumphant exterior, Biles was reportedly grappling with intense pressure and symptoms consistent with performance-related anxiety.

In a statement released through USA Gymnastics, Biles thanked her fans and teammates for their support but emphasized her need to prioritize her mental well-being. “Winning gold with this team has meant everything to me, but I also know when it’s time to listen to my body and mind. I’m proud of what we accomplished, and now I need to step away and focus on my health.”

The U.S. women’s team, which included 19-year-old rising star Jordan Chiles, veteran Sunisa Lee, newcomer Kayla DiCello, and alternate Joscelyn Roberson, expressed unwavering support for Biles’ decision. Chiles, who stepped in to anchor the floor routine during the Tokyo Games when Biles withdrew mid-event, delivered a poised statement during the post-victory press conference. “Simone is more than a teammate. She’s our leader, our inspiration, and our sister. We’ve seen what she’s gone through and we stand by her 100 percent.”

The sadness surrounding Biles’ withdrawal deepened as Fox News also revealed that a member of the coaching staff had abruptly left Paris due to a reported family emergency. While officials have not confirmed a direct connection between the two developments, insiders say the situation added stress to an already high-pressure environment. The name of the coach has not been released for privacy reasons, but USA Gymnastics acknowledged the departure in a brief statement, citing “personal family circumstances.”

This sudden shift in the team’s emotional dynamic has led many to reflect on the mental and emotional toll Olympic competition takes on athletes. The Paris Games were widely viewed as Biles’ triumphant return and potential farewell from elite competition. Her presence had drawn massive crowds and media attention, with many labeling her routines as some of the most technically demanding ever attempted by a female gymnast.

Biles’ decision comes at a moment when elite athletes across sports are increasingly open about the mental health struggles that come with fame, pressure, and expectations. Her choice to speak out and withdraw from competition in Tokyo in 2021 sparked a global conversation, and her latest announcement is reigniting that dialogue. Sports psychologist Dr. Marissa Langley, who has worked with Olympians in the past, praised Biles for her transparency. “What Simone is doing is not weakness—it’s strength. It’s leadership in its purest form.”

Meanwhile, Olympic officials and Team USA representatives have assured the public that the rest of the gymnastics schedule will continue as planned. Jordan Chiles is now expected to compete in the individual all-around competition, with Sunisa Lee and Kayla DiCello slated for various apparatus finals. Though the team’s dynamic will change without Biles, coaches expressed confidence in the athletes’ ability to shine on their own merits.

Fans around the world reacted to the news with a mixture of heartbreak and admiration. Social media platforms flooded with messages of support for Biles, many using hashtags such as #WeStandWithSimone and #MentalHealthMatters. Former Olympians also chimed in, including Michael Phelps and Aly Raisman, both of whom have spoken candidly about mental health in sports. “Simone is still the GOAT,” Phelps wrote in a tweet. “Her strength is not just in what she does—but in knowing when to pause.”

Amid the disappointment, there is still celebration. The gold medal victory in Paris stands as a testament to the strength, depth, and unity of the U.S. women’s gymnastics program. The team earned the top score in three of the four apparatuses and dominated the field with poise and precision. Their final score edged out the host nation France and third-place China in a highly competitive final.

The athletes’ bond was on full display during the medal ceremony, with all five gymnasts holding hands and sharing hugs as the U.S. national anthem played. For many watching, it was a reminder of the human spirit that underpins Olympic competition—a blend of individual excellence and collective determination.

As Biles steps away from the spotlight, the question of her future remains open. Will Paris be the end of her competitive journey, or will she return for another chapter? For now, she has not made any public statements about retirement, and her coaches have urged the public to give her space.

Regardless of what comes next, Simone Biles’ impact on the sport is already etched in history. With a combined total of over 30 Olympic and World Championship medals, she is the most decorated gymnast of all time. But perhaps her greatest legacy will be the courage she has shown in prioritizing mental health—not just once, but repeatedly—reminding the world that greatness comes not just from medals, but from honesty, vulnerability, and self-respect.

As Team USA moves forward without their star, they do so carrying her influence and inspiration. The message from Biles’ team is clear: they may be competing without her physically, but she remains very much present—in their routines, in their hearts, and in the broader conversation she continues to lead.