Simone Biles has officially qualified for her third consecutive Olympic Games following a dominant performance at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Gymnastics Trials, reaffirming her status as a leading figure in the sport.
The four-time Olympic gold medalist dazzled the audience at Sunday’s event at the Target Center in Minneapolis, cruising to an impressive overall score of 117.225 to secure her spot on the five-woman team. CBS News reported that Biles will become the fourth American woman gymnast to compete in her third Olympic Games in Paris later this month.
She began her routine with the Yurchenko double pike, often considered one of the trickiest moves to pull off that Biles has mastered. Despite a shaky start with the uneven bars and a side aerial landing in the second and third rotations, Biles demonstrated strength and resilience. She ended flawlessly with a perfect floor routine in her final rotation.
🚨 Stop what you’re doing and watch Simone Biles’ floor routine. 🚨 #USAGTrials24 pic.twitter.com/eLBMtZuSEm
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) July 1, 2024
Suni Lee, Jordan Chiles, Jade Carey and 16-year-old Hezley Rivera will travel to France alongside Biles to represent the American team. Joscelyn Roberson and Leanne Wong were named the replacement athletes for the squad.
The 27-year-old has broken many records, including securing her sixth world all-around championship title and eighth and ninth national championships in 2023. Biles is the oldest American woman gymnast to compete in the Olympics.
She took some time off following her stint in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics to focus on her mental health. However, Biles has returned better than ever, knowing that a minor setback couldn’t keep her from competing in the sport she holds dear.
“Just getting back in the gym and working hard and trusting the process… I knew I’d be back,” Biles said in an NBC broadcast obtained by CNN.
Biles also emphasized that therapy is one of the most important practices she consistently engages in to stay grounded and focused.
“Seeing my therapist every Thursday is kind of religious for me,” Biles said. “So, that’s why I am here today.”
The 2024 Paris Olympics Games open on July 26. Biles will showcase her skills in the women’s final on July 30, just a few days before the team’s final performance.
