It finally all becomes too much for Olympian Biles

Five years ago, she came through for her country with a haul of four golds and a silver in Rio. But this night in Japan proved one bridge too far, even for the gymnast considered by many to be the greatest ever. Photo: AFP

Finally, it all became too much. Simone Biles felt it hours before she took the floor in Tokyo, a nervousness she couldn’t explain as she waited to deliver what everyone except her was sure would be a gold medal for the US women’s gymnastics team.

"I was just like shaking, could barely nap,” Biles said. "I’ve never felt like this going into a competition before.”