[griswold3]

She had a serious (for a gymnast) condition. Very dangerous. Seems her body lost. “ muscle memory” somehow and she could not control her body in mid air. Scared her, understandably.
Why? Who knows ( my guess inner ear?). But the choice to compete again was significant to prove to herself she hadn’t completely lost it. Finish what you started!
Those who bitch about her should try the balance beam once.

[mmichaels1970]

She had a serious (for a gymnast) condition. Very dangerous. Seems her body lost. “ muscle memory” somehow and she could not control her body in mid air. Scared her, understandably.

Hard to find too many sports where a slight mental lapse can land you in a wheelchair for life, or worse. My diver friend mentioned perhaps platform-diving. I know I wouldn't want anybody I care about to be flipping three times in the air unless they were completely mentally focused.

In most sports, if you have a major mental-lapse the consequence is that you lose. I'm all for toughing those out. When the consequence is possible paralysis? Perhaps think on it hard.

She withdrew, she lost, it's sports. It's happened before and it'll happen again.

[CrazyCatChick]

“She had a serious (for a gymnast) condition. Very dangerous. Seems her body lost. “ muscle memory” somehow and she could not control her body in mid air. Scared her, understandably.
Why? Who knows ( my guess inner ear?). But the choice to compete again was significant to prove to herself she hadn’t completely lost it. Finish what you started!
Those who bitch about her should try the balance beam once.”

Exactly.