Gap Inc. is backing the decision by its star athlete endorser Simone Biles to put her mental health first and sit out the gymnastics team competition at the Tokyo Olympics.

“We stand by Simone and support her well-being both in and out of competition,” Kyle Andrew, chief brand officer for Gap’s Athleta line, said Tuesday in a statement. “Being the best also means knowing how to take care of yourself. We are inspired by her leadership today and are behind her every step of the way.”

The world’s preeminent gymnast, age 24, pulled out of the team competition after faltering on a vault, citing her state of mind and the risk of injury. She also said she wasn’t certain whether she would participate in the individual competition.

Biles’s decision is a blow to Comcast Corp.’s NBCUniversal, which is counting on stars like her to draw viewers to its costly Olympics production, as well as sponsors that need a large TV audience to promote their products.

Tennis star Naomi Osaka, a Nike endorser, put a spotlight on the stress that professional athletes face earlier this year when she pulled out of the French Open before the second round, citing anxiety over speaking to the media. Like the Gap, Nike Inc. expressed support for its athlete’s decision.

Osaka lit the cauldron at the opening of the Olympics last week and won her opening match at the games on July 25 before getting knocked out later.