Simone Biles still leaves the Olympics against her own expectations with a medal.
The gymnast, who is struggling with mental problems, took bronze on the beam on Tuesday.
The 24-year-old Biles dropped out of the Nations Cup a week ago because she suffered from so-called 'twisties.'
This is a situation where the gymnast suddenly loses coordination during a difficult jump due to the stress.
She then withdrew for the finals on bridge and jump.
The fact that she did go to the Ariake Gymnastics Center for the beam finals was mainly due to the intensive coaching of the past few days.
"I had two conversations with a sports psychologist. That really helped me to be less stressed in my head," she said after her exercise.
"I am also medically assessed every day by doctors. But to be honest, until a day ago I did not expect that they would give me permission to gymnastics the beam final here."
Simone Biles during her bronze exercise on beam.
Simone Biles during her bronze exercise on beam.
Photo: ANP
'I am proud of what I have shown'
Biles put in a good exercise and was rewarded by the jury with a score of 14,000 points.
Only the Chinese gymnasts Guan Chenchen (14,633) and Tang Xijing (14,233) did better.
"I was quite nervous, especially before my dismount," admitted the American.
It doesn't bother her that once bronze is in stark contrast to the four times gold and once bronze from five years ago in Rio.
"I was just happy to be here, even regardless of the outcome. I did this for myself and I'm proud of what I showed."
She cannot yet say whether Biles will be back at the Paris Olympics in three years' time.
"I have to deal with this Olympic cycle first. It's been five tough years. But in the future I will focus more on myself and no longer shove everything under the carpet."
See also: Top gymnast Biles conquers bronze on beam when returning to Games