TEXAS — In a quick about-face Wednesday, Texas Deputy Attorney General Aaron Reitz issued an apology for referring to Houston-based Olympic gymnast Simone Biles as a “selfish, childish national embarrassment.”

What You Need To Know

  • Texas Deputy Attorney General Aaron Reitz this week condemned gymnast Simone Biles for not competing in the all-around Olympic competition, referring to her as a "selfish, childish national embarrassment"

  • After drawing criticism for the tweet, Reitz on Wednesday issued an apology, calling his criticism "a moment of frustration and disappointment"

  • Reitz's apology also came after Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said he would handle the issue

  • Biles dropped out of competition in order to focus on her mental well-being 

In a tweet on Tuesday that has since been deleted, Reitz blasted the the 24-year-old for opting not to compete in Thursday’s all-around Olympic competition in order to focus on her mental well-being.

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On Wednesday, Reitz tweeted out an apology, writing, “My personal social media comments do not represent Attorney General Paxton or the Office of the Attorney General.”

“In a moment of frustration and disappointment, I opined on subjects for which I am not adequately versed. That was an error. I can’t imagine what Simone Biles has gone through,” Reitz continued. “Simone Biles is a true patriot and one of the greatest gymnasts of our time. I apologize to her, and wish her well.”

Reitz was not nearly as apologetic concerning his comments until Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton stepped in, writing, “Today I learned about a very inappropriate and insensitive tweet by one of our employees. This will be handled internally.”

Reaction to Reitz’s original tweet was overwhelmingly negative. One respondent wrote, “You're kidding me right?? Mental health is just as important as physical health when it comes to this sport, and especially when it comes to the Olympics. Please stay in your lane.”

USA Gymnastics said Biles will be evaluated daily before deciding if she will participate in next week’s individual events. Biles qualified for the finals on all four apparatuses, something she didn’t even do during her five-medal haul in Rio de Janeiro in 2016.

Biles came to Tokyo as possibly the face of the Games following the retirement of swimmer Michael Phelps and sprinter Usain Bolt. She topped qualifying on Sunday despite piling up mandatory deductions on vault, floor and beam following shaky dismounts.

She posted on social media on Monday that she felt the weight of the world on her shoulders. The weight became too heavy after vaulting during team finals. She lost herself in mid-air and completed 1 1/2 twists instead of 2 1/2. She consulted with U.S. team doctor Marcia Faustin before walking off the field of play.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.