Simone Biles is set to make her third Olympic team this weekend at the U.S. Olympic team trials in Minneapolis. While the event is more of a formality for Biles, there are other gymnasts eyeing the 2024 Paris Games. The top all-around finisher after two days of competition at the trials will receive an automatic spot on the five-member women’s Olympic team. The other four women competing in Paris will be determined by a selection committee, which will utilize the results from trials and previous competitions to complete the team. Assembling the U.S. team revolves primarily around the Team Final competition, where the team gold medal is awarded and three gymnasts compete on each apparatus.
On the men’s side, the five-member team competes on six apparatuses. The automatic spot is harder to clinch, requiring a gymnast to finish first in the all-around and top three on at least three events. No male gymnast accomplished this feat at the Championships in Fort Worth. There are 20 men and 16 women vying for Olympic berths this weekend. Top contenders on the men’s side include national champion Brody Malone, world bronze medalist Fred Richard, Khoi Young, Yul Moldauer, Asher Hong, Donnell Whittenburg, Shane Wiskus and Shane Wiskus. The U.S. men are in the hunt for their first Olympic medal since 2008 after winning a silver at last year’s world championships.
The frontrunners for the women’s team include Simone Biles, who is a favorite for multiple gold medals in Paris. Shilese Jones, though nursing a shoulder injury, is a strong all-around gymnast and likely contender for her first Olympic team. Skye Blakely, a young gymnast with recent success, is hoping to make her debut on the Olympic team if she recovers from a possible injury sustained in training. Reigning Olympic all-around champion Suni Lee remains a strong contender despite battling a kidney illness, with her potential on the balance beam and uneven bars. Major contenders like Jordan Chiles and Jade Carey are also vying for spots on the team, with Chiles showcasing balanced skills and Carey excelling in floor and vault.
Other potential dark horse contenders include Joscelyn Roberson, Kaliya Lincoln, Hezly Rivera, and Tiana Sumanasekera. These gymnasts may not be at the forefront of the conversation for the Olympic team but have shown promise and potential with their performances. Ultimately, the selection committee will need to balance individual strengths and weaknesses to maximize Team USA’s scoring potential in the Team Final competition. The Olympic trials will be a crucial opportunity for all gymnasts to showcase their abilities and secure their spots on the team for the 2024 Paris Games.
