Simone Biles manages leg discomfort to lead U.S. in qualifying - ESPN

Simone Biles briefly left the floor with what she said was discomfort in her left leg but continued her quest to return atop the Olympic podium Sunday, posting an all-around score that was more than three points ahead of U.S. teammate Suni Lee through two subdivisions of qualifying.

The 27-year-old American dazzled during her opening beam routine then briefly left the floor with USA team doctor Marcia Faustin. Biles returned a short time later and spent several minutes sitting and watching her teammates.

U.S. gymnastics coach Cecile Landi said the issue popped up a couple of weeks ago and described it as minor. Landi said there was no discussion of pulling Biles from the event.

«I can't express it,» she said. «I'm really proud of her and what she's been through and what she's showing the world what she's capable of doing.»

Biles was heard on camera saying she felt something in her calf but stepped onto the competition floor with the leg taped. She appeared just fine when Taylor Swift's «Ready for It» began playing, and her routine — the hardest in the world — was solid. She walked gingerly off the floor and sat off to the side for a moment before receiving a hug from longtime coach Laurent Landi.

Biles received a 14.600, the highest of the day so far and assuring her a spot in the event finals next week.

The Americans then moved to vault, the same event where Biles felt something off during the team final in Tokyo three years ago and removed herself from multiple finals to focus on her mental health.

She participated in warmups, shorting the Yurchenko double pike vault that has become her signature. There were no issues about 10 minutes later when she attempted it for the judges, taking a big step back, a byproduct of