Decisions like the one the world's best gymnast made on Tuesday might be jarring to many, but it doesn't mean she doesn't care. We have seen athletes step away for non-physical reasons before—and the trend could continue.
After stepping away from the sport to focus on her mental health, the four-time Grand Slam champion returned to the spotlight with a dominant win at the Olympics.
The official start to the Tokyo Olympics featured a spectacular show, but it all played out in an empty stadium, in a country that is increasingly opposed to the event, in the wake of COVID-19.