Simone Biles is returning to familiar territory.
The legendary gymnast will be a key member of the U.S. Olympic women's gymnastics team for the Paris Games, a decision that was made official at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials, which concluded June 30 at the Target Center in Minneapolis.
The team spoke exclusively with TODAY's Hoda Kotb shortly after the announcement.
In addition to Biles, Suni Lee, Jordan Chiles, Jade Carey and Hezly Rivera will join the team, with Jocelyn Roberson and Lien Wong serving as alternates.
This will be Biles' third Olympic Games and she is eager to bring home a gold medal after the United States won the team silver medal at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.
“It's deja vu, but it also feels a little bit like a revenge tour,” she told Hoda as she joined her teammates for an interview that aired on July 1. “None of us performed at our best in Tokyo, so I'm excited to go out there and perform at my best.”
When Hoda brought up the idea that the Olympic Trials are even harder than the Olympics themselves, Biles pointed to the fact that there is a wealth of talent on offer.
“The U.S. has great depth, so basically everyone is competing for the same spot,” she said, “but that's what makes the U.S. team the U.S. team. We have the grit, we have the strength, we have the grace. We have it all, you could say. So (we're) just competing for the spot.”
Childs, who was emotional during the trials, echoed Biles' comments that the break felt like “penance.”
“Tokyo was a really tough time for a lot of us. I know this is kind of like redemption. Struggle is struggle, but path is path. By staying on the right path, it just seemed like it was a lot better. So, that feeling was just like, 'I'm here! I won! This is amazing, this is amazing!'”
Carey is also ready to show the world what this team is made of.
“This means everything to me,” she said. “Like everyone has said, I think we all want some kind of redemption, so to be able to sit here today and just enjoy the gymnastics that I do and have fun with these girls is just incredible. And I'm looking forward to Paris.”
Biles, who suffered a “twist” and withdrew from multiple events in Tokyo, is the centerpiece of the team roster and, at 27, is a veteran and one of the sport's most legendary figures. Biles said the team is focused on building on their silver medal in Tokyo.
“We won the silver medal, I can say that, but there were definitely some things we had to overcome at that meet and I think we can all work a little harder,” she said. “I think we're more mature. I think our gymnastics is better. I think we're a little more confident in what we're doing, so I'm excited.”
Lee, who won the individual all-around gold medal in Tokyo and has since battled kidney disease twice, is also ecstatic to be back with the team.
“It's crazy,” she says. “It's been an incredible journey, so hard. I wanted to quit and give up so many times because I was so unwell and it was hard to stay motivated. I saw everyone else getting better and I couldn't even get back into the gym and I was constantly lacking in confidence. But I had people around me who encouraged and supported me and I knew this was what I wanted.”
Though the team is full of veterans, 16-year-old Rivera is the only one on the team making her Olympic debut, and she too is having a hard time coming to terms with the fact that she'll be going to Paris.
“It's so surreal. I can't believe I'm here right now,” she said. “All my hard work has paid off. I'm so excited to be representing the U.S. at the Olympics. I'm in shock.”
The Olympic Team Trials in Minneapolis finalized the rosters for the women's and men's gymnastics teams for the Paris Olympics. Read on to find out who made the team.
- Simone Biles
- Suni Lee
- Jordan Chiles
- Jade Carey
- Hesley Rivera
- Jocelyn Roberson (substitute)
- Lian Wong (substitute)
Who are the members of the U.S. Olympic Men's Gymnastics Team?
- Asher Hong
- Paul Judah
- Brody Malone
- Stephen Nedorosik
- Frederick Richard
- Shane Wiskas (substitute)
- Koy Young (alternate)
