FORT WORTH, TX – MAY 31: Detail of Jordan Chiles applying chalk to his hands while getting ready … [+]
The final stop before Paris. It all comes down to this: two nights of competition, eight performances total. From June 27-30, America's best gymnasts will take to the stage at the U.S. Olympic Trials to compete for just five spots on the Olympic team. The highly anticipated lineup features three Olympic champions, four Olympic medalists and nine world champions.
Needless to say, the competition will be fierce. With a host of young athletes vying for their first Olympic appearances, four of the 16 gymnasts are looking for an encore: Simone Biles is looking to compete in her third consecutive Olympics, while 2021 teammates Sunisa Lee, Jade Carey and Jordan Childs are looking to compete for their second time.
All four athletes have had significant international success, but past achievements are no guarantee of current success. As the USA Gymnastics selection committee faces the task of assembling Team USA, we evaluate which Olympic returnees have come close to clinching a spot in Paris and which still have significant challenges ahead.
Simone Biles
analysis: Was there any doubt? If Simone is healthy, she'll be in Paris. The seven-time Olympic medalist has proven herself in all facets of competition. Following a highly successful return to elite competition, Simone enters 2024 with an upgraded level of difficulty and progression towards unprecedented power. With first place at the trials, the world's most decorated gymnast would easily secure an automatic berth on her third Olympic team.
ANTWERP, BELGIUM – OCTOBER 1: (Composite) In this composite, Simone Biles of the team … [+]
Room for improvement: It's hard to suggest areas for improvement for the sport's winningest athlete, but Biles could work on improving her floor landing and adding more consistency to her eponymous vault, “Biles II.” While these adjustments likely won't affect a win at the Olympic Trials, they would best prepare her for her biggest rival in Paris, Brazil's Rebecca Andrade.
Jade Carey
analysisThe reigning Olympic champion in floor exercise and seven-time world championship medalist entered uncharted territory heading into the U.S. Olympic Trials. After a disappointing 2023 elite season, the Oregon State star started off slow this year, finishing fourth and fifth in her favorite events due to weak routines.
Hartford, Connecticut – May 18: Jade Carey competes in the floor exercise at the 2024 Core Hydration … [+]
Carey is also a favorite to win vault (where she is also the world champion), having finished third at the U.S. Championships behind Biles and rising star Skye Blakely, but fans of Carey and Oregon State need not panic: The 24-year-old is known for her uncanny ability to perform her best gymnastics in the final hour.
Room for improvement: As one of three people to win the Olympic gold medal again, Jade has an impeccable track record on the international stage. However, to reach her previous level of success, she will need to incorporate more difficult events. Carrie is rumored to be attempting more difficult events for the first time on both vault and floor exercise as key moves to improve her chances. A top three finish on these two events would significantly increase Carrie's chances of competing again. Known for her calm demeanor and expert pacing in training, Jade will need to step up her game this weekend.
Jordan Chiles
Fort Worth, Texas – June 2: Jordan Childs competes in the floor exercise at the 2024 Xfinity … [+]
analysisBiles' training partner, Jordan Childs, will also be looking for revenge after a disappointing 2023 elite season. In 2021, she burst onto the U.S. Olympic team after a series of dynamic competitions leading up to Tokyo. Childs will need to repeat that same consistency this weekend if she hopes to make the Olympic team for a second time. Regarded as a reliable all-around athlete with few flaws, Childs can contribute to the U.S. team in any event and will be looking to finish in the top three as an all-around athlete in Minneapolis.
Room for improvement: As mentioned above, Chiles will need to perform consistent, clean routines throughout both days of competition if she wants to win. As a former World Championship silver medalist in vault and floor exercise (2022), Chiles should also aim for high placements in these events. Unfortunately, part of her fate is out of her control. Both Serie Jones and Skye Blakely have higher all-around scores than Chiles, so Jordan will need to perform flawlessly if she wants to win.
Sunisa Lee
analysis: Going into the competitive cycle, Olympic all-around champion Li's preparation was in doubt due to kidney problems. After overcoming countless obstacles, Li has catapulted herself into the conversation. While a repeat of her Tokyo all-around victory is unlikely, Suni's prowess on her key events of balance beam and balance beam could earn her a ticket to France. On balance beam, Li placed in the top two at both the U.S. Classic and U.S. Championships. On balance beam, the three-time Olympic medalist placed fourth at the U.S. Championships despite competing in a less difficult event.
Room for improvement: Suni is at an Olympic level despite the downgrade of her uneven bars routine. But the defending Olympic bronze medalist in the event has shown astronomical difficulty in practice. Li has been working on a move never seen before that, if successful at international competition, could help her put her name forward and compete for an individual Olympic gold medal. More importantly, if she nails it next weekend, the selection committee will have a hard time leaving her off the team.
FORT WORTH, TX – May 31: Suni Lee prepares to compete on the uneven bars at the 2024 Xfinity … [+]
The women's competition at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials will begin at 5:30 p.m. CST on July 28 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Day two will conclude on Sunday, July 30, with the announcement of the U.S. Olympic Team following shortly thereafter. The top performers after both days of competition will earn the only automatic berth to Paris.
