Simone Biles and Suni Lee Shine in the Olympic Qualifications
The USA women’s gymnastics team performed an unforgettable night during the 2024 Olympic qualifications in Paris.
Despite the wobbles and setbacks Sunday night, the U.S. women’s gymnastics team performed their hearts out at Bercy Arena in Paris. Simone Biles, Jade Carey, Jordan Chiles, Suni Lee, and Hezly River received 172.296 points, more than five points ahead of Italy in second place.
Biles and Lee, reigning Olympic champions, placed in the top two on the U.S. team and advanced to the all-around finals on July 30. Chiles placed fourth overall and third in the U.S. team. Due to the rule of the two athletes per country, Chiles’ all-around journey ended Sunday night.
The qualifications started strong on the balance beam, with Biles and Lee in the top four.
Heading to their second routine on the floor exercise, Carey fumbled on her last tumbling pass. The gymnast started her first pass strong with a double layout full twist. Her subsequent two passes resulted in her stepping out of bounds, causing multiple deductions.
Then, she completed a front-through to double back on her last pass but got lost mid-air. She opened during her back tuck, leading her to roll onto her back out of bounds. Carey scored 10.633 on the floor, preventing her from defending her title.
Carey shared about this in a post on X, “I haven’t been feeling the best the past few days but i gave it everything i had today. thank you for all the support i have received. i’m so grateful.”
idc what happened but i want to say im so proud of jade carey for doing her floor routine period. it has been reported that she hasn’t been feeling & apparently hasn’t eaten in a few days. the fact she was even able to get out there and do a single pass, is remarkable!
— nika muhl stan account (@hellyeahheidi) July 29, 2024
The team headed to the vault next, leaving Biles unexpecting with a calf injury. Biles completed her first practice vault and crawled back to her spot. Her coach, Cecile Landi, stated that the injury was never a consideration to pull out of the competition. Biles overcame the pain and completed two vault attempts, taking home first place with a 15.300.
Simone Biles CRAWLING on vault omg idk how she is able to laugh and keep her spirits up after an injury like I would be in tears 100% pic.twitter.com/JuJsaaxYht
— Audrey (@alevin420) July 28, 2024
The team ended their night on the uneven bars, with Lee in third overall.
Suni Lee needed a 14.800 to qualify to the all around over teammate Jordan Chiles on her final bars performance in Qualifications. She scored a 14.866. pic.twitter.com/oItUWJXRS5
— Poor Lawyer (@poorlawyer) July 29, 2024
The 2024 Paris Olympic Qualifications made history as the last two defending Olympic champions in the all-around entered the all-around finals. Biles won in the 2016 Rio Olympics, while Lee won in Tokyo 2021. The U.S. women’s gymnast has been on a winning streak since 2004, when Carly Patterson won the title. Since then, Nastia Liukin won in 2008, Gabby Douglass in 2012, and then Biles and Lee.
Check out USA Gymnastics’ website for more information on the gymnast’s scores and placement.
