The US Olympic Gymnastic Trials concluded yesterday, and after an exciting second rotation Simone Biles and Sunisa Lee had almost locked in their spot. With only a 4 member team allowed to go the Tokyo Olympics this year, and 2 women going to represent US in individual events, the wait was intense.
Finally the team was announced, with Simone Biles leading the team of Sunisa Lee, Jordan Chiles and Grace McCallum. Jade Carey and Mykayla Skinner will take the individual spots rounding off the 6 women team. Let us take a look at the women that will represent the USA in women’s gymnastics.
The USA Women’s Gymnastics Team that will be going to the Tokyo Olympics
Simone Biles
| Medal contention | All around, team, vault, floor, beam |
It was no surprise when Simone Biles was announced for the USA team. She was leading at the end of the two day trials, with a total of 118.098 points. At the Tokyo Olympics, she won 4 gold medals, and one bronze, leaving the world with no doubt that she was one of the greatest gymnasts ever. She is also the reigning world champion in all around. She will be going to the Tokyo Olympics to defend her all around title, as well as the team title.
She will be debuting 3 of her own skills, promptly named after her, the Biles, on the floor, vault and beam. One of the most experienced gymnasts on the team, she will definitely be looking to increase her medal count at this Olympics, and the world expects no less.
Sunisa Lee
| Medal contention | All around, team, bars, beam |
Sunisa Lee finished second in the all around at the Gymnastics trials, with a score of 115.832 which assured her Olympic debut. She had an exceptional performance on the second night, scoring even higher then Biles.
She was a part of the gold medal winning team at the 2019 world Championships in Stuttgart, where she took individual silver in the floor exercise and a bronze in the uneven bars. She is looking strong as her 15.300 on bars would’ve been good enough for gold at 2019 worlds. Her beam performance and difficulty will also put her in contention for the all around medals at the Tokyo Olympics.
Jordan Chiles
| Medal contention | All around, team, bars, vault, floor |
Jordan Chiles came third at the Olympic trials, finishing with a score of 114.631, and the committee made their choice to send her to her maiden Olympics. She has gone through many struggles and even considered quitting for a while, but she decided to stick and make her way through all the tough times. It paid off, as she delivered an exceptional performance over 2 days.
She is the bronze medal all around at the 2018 World Cup, and is the triple gold medal winner at the 2018 Pacific Ring Championships.
Grace McCallum
| Medal contention | Team |
Grace McCallum will be the youngest on the team, and was selected to fill the fourth sport of the USA Gymnastics team. She finished fourth in the all around at the trials yesterday, with a score of 112.564 points. McCallum came back from a horrific injury five years ago, and made the world championships in 2018 and 2019.
She is not likely to contend for an individual medal at the Tokyo Olympics, but she will contribute in the vault and floor in the team event.
Individual spots in the Women’s team
Jade Carey
| Medal contention | Vault, floor |
Jade Carey will compete as an individual at the Tokyo Olympics. She is likely to be the second gymnast behind Simone Biles to make the vault finals. She secured her spot at the Tokyo Olympics long back, when she won the vault title at three World Cups.
She is also looking to make the floor finals, as she has won several medals including a gold at 2018 Pan American Championships.
MyKayla Skinner
| Medal contention | Vault |
MyKayla Skinner will take the last spot on the Women’s Olympic team as the oldest competitor in the trials. Skinner was fourth in the 2016 Olympic trials, where she was named as a reserve for the team.
She returned to elite gymnastics after three years, and will finally be looking to compete at the Tokyo Olympics. She is a likely contender in the vault and well as the floor exercise.
Kayla DiCello, Kara Eaker, Emma Malabuyo and Leanne Wong were named as alternates for the team.
