Simone Biles Earns Spot On Third Olympic Team At 2024 U.S. Olympic Gymnastics Team Trials

On the final day of the 2024 U.S. Olympic Gymnastics Team Trials, Simone Biles clinched her place on her third Olympic team, making her just the fourth American woman to achieve this milestone. At age 27, Biles is the oldest women’s gymnast to make an Olympic team in 72 years.

Biles earned her spot by winning the all-around title at the Trials with a score of 117.225. Reflecting on her journey, Biles said to NBC Sports, “I knew I wasn’t done after the performances in Tokyo. So just getting back in the gym, and then working hard and just trusting the process with Cecile and Laurent (Landi) – I knew I’d be back.”

Joining Biles in Paris will be her Tokyo Olympic teammates Suni Lee (111.675), Jordan Chiles (111.425), and Jade Carey (111.350). First-year senior Hezly Rivera (111.150) will also be making her first Olympic appearance.

For the first time in history, an Olympic gymnastics team will feature two Olympic all-around champions: Biles (2016) and Lee (2020).

The selection process was challenging, with several top contenders dropping out due to injuries. Shilese Jones withdrew after competing only on the uneven bars, Skye Blakely sustained an Achilles injury during practice, and Kayla DiCello suffered an Achilles injury on her vault during the competition.

Rotation-by-Rotation Highlights:

Rotation 5:

• Tiana Sumanasekera: Stuck her Yurchenko double twist for a 14.350.
• Hezly Rivera: Scored 14.300 on uneven bars with a clean routine.
• Joscelyn Roberson: Posted a 14.500 for her Cheng vault.
• Jordan Chiles: Scored 14.500 for her Yurchenko double twist and 14.675 for her Lopez vault.
• Jade Carey: Received a 14.675 for her Cheng vault.
• Suni Lee: Earned a 14.875 on uneven bars.
• Simone Biles: Scored 15.500 for her Yurchenko double pike.

Rotation 6:

• Jordan Chiles: Scored 14.200 on uneven bars.
• Leanne Wong: Scored 13.650 on balance beam.
• Jade Carey: Scored 13.075 on uneven bars.
• Simone Biles: Scored 14.200 on uneven bars.
• Suni Lee: Scored 12.825 on balance beam after a rough routine.
• Hezly Rivera: Scored 14.275 on balance beam.

Rotation 7:

• Leanne Wong: Scored 13.625 on floor.
• Jade Carey: Scored 13.625 on balance beam.
• Kaliya Lincoln: Scored 13.650 on floor.
• Simone Biles: Scored 13.900 on balance beam.
• Suni Lee: Scored 13.850 on floor.
• Tiana Sumanasekera: Scored 13.950 on balance beam.
• Hezly Rivera: Scored 13.550 on floor.
• Joscelyn Roberson: Scored 14.050 on balance beam.
• Jordan Chiles: Scored 12.225 on balance beam.

Rotation 8:

• Simone Biles: Scored 14.725 on floor.
• Suni Lee: Scored 14.100 on vault.
• Tiana Sumanasekera: Scored 13.725 on floor.
• Hezly Rivera: Scored 14.200 on vault.
• Joscelyn Roberson: Scored 13.925 on floor.
• Jordan Chiles: Scored 14.100 on floor.
• Leanne Wong: Scored 14.500 on vault.
• Jade Carey: Scored 14.150 on floor.

Final Scores:

1. Simone Biles: 117.225
2. Suni Lee: 111.675
3. Jordan Chiles: 111.425
4. Jade Carey: 111.350
5. Hezly Rivera: 111.150
6. Joscelyn Roberson: 110.975
7. Leanne Wong: 110.425
8. Tiana Sumanasekera: 109.550
9. Kaliya Lincoln: 109.400
10. Simone Rose: 105.200

Biles’ dominant performance and the strength of the team bode well for the U.S. in the upcoming Paris Olympics.

Article by Nathaniel Marshall