With Simone Biles out, Russians win gymnastics gold over US
TOKYO (AP) — Simone Biles came to Tokyo as the star of the U.S. Olympic movement and perhaps the games themselves.
It all came to a stunning halt in the women’s gymnastics final on Tuesday night. A wonky vault to start the competition left her huddling with the U.S. team doctor before heading backstage for a few moments.
When she re-emerged, she hugged her teammates, took off her bar grips and put on a sweatsuit while dealing with what USA Gymnastics described as a “medical issue.”
Her day was over. A short time later, despite a valiant effort from Grace McCallum, Sunisa Lee and Jordan Chiles, so was the U.S.’s long run atop the sport.
The team representing the Russian Olympic Committee surged past the U.S. to gold, posting a score of 169.528 to capture the country’s first Olympic title since Barcelona in 1992.
The Americans drew within eight-tenths of a point through three rotations even with Biles serving as head cheerleader. ROC, however, never wavered on floor. And they erupted when 21-year-old Angelina Melnikova’s floor exercise score assured them of the top spot on the podium.
The victory came a day after ROC men’s team edged Japan for the top spot in the men’s final.
Great Britain edged Italy for bronze.
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.
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Simone Biles out of Olympic team finals with apparent injuryAshley Landis
Simone Biles, of the United States, performs on the vault during the artistic gymnastics women's final at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 27, 2021, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Ashley LandisSimone Biles, of the United States, performs on the vault during the artistic gymnastics women's final at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 27, 2021, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
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Simone Biles out of Olympic team finals with apparent injuryGregory Bull
Simone Biles, of the United States, waits for her turn to perform during the artistic gymnastics women's final at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 27, 2021, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Gregory BullSimone Biles, of the United States, waits for her turn to perform during the artistic gymnastics women's final at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 27, 2021, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
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Simone Biles out of Olympic team finals with apparent injuryDavid J. Phillip
From left, France's Mewen Tomac, China's Xu Jiayu and United States' Joseph Armstrong compete in a 100-meter backstroke heat at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Sunday, July 25, 2021, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
David J. PhillipFrom left, France's Mewen Tomac, China's Xu Jiayu and United States' Joseph Armstrong compete in a 100-meter backstroke heat at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Sunday, July 25, 2021, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
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Simone Biles out of Olympic team finals with apparent injuryBen Curtis
Momiji Nishiya of Japan reacts after winning the women's street skateboarding finals at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 26, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)
Ben CurtisMomiji Nishiya of Japan reacts after winning the women's street skateboarding finals at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 26, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)
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Simone Biles out of Olympic team finals with apparent injuryFrancisco Seco
Indonesia's Rio Waida crashes on a wave during third round of the men's surfing competition at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 26, 2021, at Tsurigasaki beach in Ichinomiya, Japan. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
Francisco SecoIndonesia's Rio Waida crashes on a wave during third round of the men's surfing competition at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 26, 2021, at Tsurigasaki beach in Ichinomiya, Japan. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
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Simone Biles out of Olympic team finals with apparent injuryHassan Ammar
Alexander Choupenitch of the Czech Republic celebrates defeating Peter Joppich of Germany in the men's individual round of 16 Foil competition at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 26, 2021, in Chiba, Japan. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
Hassan AmmarAlexander Choupenitch of the Czech Republic celebrates defeating Peter Joppich of Germany in the men's individual round of 16 Foil competition at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 26, 2021, in Chiba, Japan. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
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Simone Biles out of Olympic team finals with apparent injuryPetros Giannakouris
Damian Schumann, of Australia, dives for he ball during a men's beach volleyball match against the Russian Olympic Committee at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 26, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
Petros GiannakourisDamian Schumann, of Australia, dives for he ball during a men's beach volleyball match against the Russian Olympic Committee at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 26, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
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Simone Biles out of Olympic team finals with apparent injuryThibault Camus
Mathieu van der Poel of the Netherlands tumbles on a downhill during the men's cross country mountain bike competition at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 26, 2021, in Izu, Japan. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
Thibault CamusMathieu van der Poel of the Netherlands tumbles on a downhill during the men's cross country mountain bike competition at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 26, 2021, in Izu, Japan. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
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Simone Biles out of Olympic team finals with apparent injuryChristophe Ena
Thomas Pidcock of Great Britain celebrates as he wins the gold medal during the men's cross country mountain bike competition at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 26, 2021, in Izu, Japan. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
Christophe EnaThomas Pidcock of Great Britain celebrates as he wins the gold medal during the men's cross country mountain bike competition at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 26, 2021, in Izu, Japan. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
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Simone Biles out of Olympic team finals with apparent injuryFrancisco Seco
Astralia's Julian Wilson maneuvers on a wave during the third round of the men's surfing competition at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 26, 2021, at Tsurigasaki beach in Ichinomiya, Japan. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
Francisco SecoAstralia's Julian Wilson maneuvers on a wave during the third round of the men's surfing competition at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 26, 2021, at Tsurigasaki beach in Ichinomiya, Japan. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
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Simone Biles out of Olympic team finals with apparent injuryFrancisco Seco
Brazil's Italo Ferreira goes to the air on a wave during the third round of the men's surfing competition at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 26, 2021, at Tsurigasaki beach in Ichinomiya, Japan. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
Francisco SecoBrazil's Italo Ferreira goes to the air on a wave during the third round of the men's surfing competition at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 26, 2021, at Tsurigasaki beach in Ichinomiya, Japan. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
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Simone Biles out of Olympic team finals with apparent injuryDavid J. Phillip
Gold medal winners Britain's Thomas Daley and Matty Lee compete in the synchronized 10-meter platform diving final at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 26, 2021, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
David J. PhillipGold medal winners Britain's Thomas Daley and Matty Lee compete in the synchronized 10-meter platform diving final at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 26, 2021, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
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Simone Biles out of Olympic team finals with apparent injuryChristophe Ena
David Valero Serrano of Spain reacts as he wins the bronze medal during the men's cross country mountain bike competition at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 26, 2021, in Izu, Japan. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
Christophe EnaDavid Valero Serrano of Spain reacts as he wins the bronze medal during the men's cross country mountain bike competition at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 26, 2021, in Izu, Japan. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
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Simone Biles out of Olympic team finals with apparent injuryCharlie Riedel
Alexander Zuev, of the Russian Olympic Committee, is fouled by Ira Brown, of Japan, during a men's 3-on-3 basketball game at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 26, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Charlie RiedelAlexander Zuev, of the Russian Olympic Committee, is fouled by Ira Brown, of Japan, during a men's 3-on-3 basketball game at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 26, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
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Simone Biles out of Olympic team finals with apparent injuryShuji Kajiyama
Canada's Connor Braid is tackled by Fiji's Sireli Maqala in their men's rugby sevens match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 26, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
Shuji KajiyamaCanada's Connor Braid is tackled by Fiji's Sireli Maqala in their men's rugby sevens match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 26, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
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Simone Biles out of Olympic team finals with apparent injuryLuca Bruno
Mary Kini Lifu of Solomon Islands competes in the women's 55kg weightlifting event, at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 26, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
Luca BrunoMary Kini Lifu of Solomon Islands competes in the women's 55kg weightlifting event, at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 26, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
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Simone Biles out of Olympic team finals with apparent injuryAndrew Medichini
Takahiro Shikine of Japan, right, and Daniele Garozzo of Italy compete in the men's individual semifinal foil competition at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 26, 2021, in Chiba, Japan. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Andrew MedichiniTakahiro Shikine of Japan, right, and Daniele Garozzo of Italy compete in the men's individual semifinal foil competition at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 26, 2021, in Chiba, Japan. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
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Simone Biles out of Olympic team finals with apparent injuryJohn Locher
A setting sun lights up the sky at South Africa and Great Britain compete during a women's field hockey match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 26, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/John Locher)
John LocherA setting sun lights up the sky at South Africa and Great Britain compete during a women's field hockey match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 26, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/John Locher)
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Simone Biles out of Olympic team finals with apparent injuryFrank Franklin II
Kazakhstan's Saken Bibossinov, left, get hit with a punch by Puerto Rico's Yankiel Rivera Figueroa during their men's flyweight 52-kg boxing match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 26, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Frank Franklin IIKazakhstan's Saken Bibossinov, left, get hit with a punch by Puerto Rico's Yankiel Rivera Figueroa during their men's flyweight 52-kg boxing match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 26, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
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Simone Biles out of Olympic team finals with apparent injuryMartin Meissner
Ieva Maluka of Latvia swims in a heat during the women's 200-meter freestyle at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 26, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
Martin MeissnerIeva Maluka of Latvia swims in a heat during the women's 200-meter freestyle at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 26, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
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Simone Biles out of Olympic team finals with apparent injuryShuji Kajiyama
Argentina's Rodrigo Isgro goes flying after a tackle by New Zealand's Andrew Knewstubb in their men's rugby sevens match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 26, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
Shuji KajiyamaArgentina's Rodrigo Isgro goes flying after a tackle by New Zealand's Andrew Knewstubb in their men's rugby sevens match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 26, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
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Simone Biles out of Olympic team finals with apparent injurySeth Wenig
Novak Djokovick, of Serbia, plays Jan-Lennard Struff, of Germany, during the second round of the tennis competition at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 26, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Seth WenigNovak Djokovick, of Serbia, plays Jan-Lennard Struff, of Germany, during the second round of the tennis competition at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 26, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
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Simone Biles out of Olympic team finals with apparent injuryAshley Landis
Sun Wei, of China, performs on the floor exercise during the artistic gymnastic men's team final at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 26, 2021, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Ashley LandisSun Wei, of China, performs on the floor exercise during the artistic gymnastic men's team final at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 26, 2021, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
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Simone Biles out of Olympic team finals with apparent injuryHassan Ammar
Manon Brunet of France celebrates with her teammates defeating Anna Marton of Hungary in the women's individual Sabre bronze medal final competition at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 26, 2021, in Chiba, Japan. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
Hassan AmmarManon Brunet of France celebrates with her teammates defeating Anna Marton of Hungary in the women's individual Sabre bronze medal final competition at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 26, 2021, in Chiba, Japan. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
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Simone Biles out of Olympic team finals with apparent injuryMatthias Schrader
Federico Burdisso of Italy swims in a heat during the men's 200-meter butterfly at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 26, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
Matthias SchraderFederico Burdisso of Italy swims in a heat during the men's 200-meter butterfly at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 26, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
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Simone Biles out of Olympic team finals with apparent injuryGregory Bull
Kazuma Kaya, of Japan, performs on the rings during the artistic gymnastic men's team final at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 26, 2021, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Gregory BullKazuma Kaya, of Japan, performs on the rings during the artistic gymnastic men's team final at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 26, 2021, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
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Simone Biles out of Olympic team finals with apparent injuryFrank Augstein
Japan's Masahiro Sekita celebrates his team's 3-1 victory over Canada at the end of a men's volleyball preliminary round pool A match, at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 26, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
Frank AugsteinJapan's Masahiro Sekita celebrates his team's 3-1 victory over Canada at the end of a men's volleyball preliminary round pool A match, at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 26, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
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