TEXAS – Making the United States gymnastics team for the Paris Games is harder than ever before and the squad selected could be the most successful ever at the Olympics, athletes trying to make the cut said this week.
All-around Olympic champions Gabby Douglas, Simone Biles and Sunisa Lee – who claimed the women’s top individual prize in 2012, 2016 and 2021 respectively – and youngsters Joscelyn Roberson and Tiana Sumanasekera are among those vying for a place in the five-member team.
The team will be named at the US Olympic team trials in Minneapolis in late June.
“This will be one of the best teams the United States has ever had and one of the best teams that the world has ever seen,” Roberson, who turns 18 later this week, said at a media event near Houston on Feb 4.
“The United States could make three teams and they would all be amazing. The depth this year is insane and unlike any other.”
The squad bring to mind the gold-medal winning “Dream Team” – the 1992 US men’s basketball side that included Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird.
Leading the way for the US is Biles, the four-gold Olympic athlete who has transcended the sport.
She is looking to dominate once again after dropping out of several events at the Tokyo Games due to “the twisties” – a type of mental block where gymnasts are disoriented mid-air.
After a two-year hiatus, Biles returned to competition last August at the US Classic.
She proved that she remained the sport’s dominant force, winning the all-around, then weeks later claiming a record eighth all-around title at the US championships.
At the 2023 world championships in Belgium she won four golds, including a record-equalling sixth all-around crown.
“She’s an icon, a legend, a GOAT for sure,” said Jordan Chiles, who stepped in for Biles in Tokyo and won the team silver.
“She’s the Michael Jordan of gymnastics, she’s what Serena Williams is to tennis. She has changed the culture of this sport.”
Despite the intense pressure that comes with trying to make the team, the 16-year-old Sumanasekera said the athletes support each other and truly enjoy their time together in the gym.
“It’s extremely fun,” she said. “We’re a very silly group of girls. We love to crack jokes with one another and Simone and Zoe (Miller) are the funniest duo ever. Whenever we are having a hard day, they are there to crack a joke and make us laugh, even if I am crying.
“It’s just amazing to have teammates we’re so fond of and so similar to. Being in that environment is something I’m always looking forward to.”
Also eyeing a spot is Shilese Jones, who has unfinished business after narrowly missing out on the Tokyo Olympics and hopes to carry the momentum she gained in 2023.
Jones lost her father and biggest fan Sylvester after a long battle with kidney disease in December 2021. But she returned more determined than ever to reach her dream.
“I am the biggest fighter, biggest motivator for myself,” said Jones, 21. “I always have so much left in me and coming just that spot short, I knew that wasn’t the end.”
Jones played a key role in helping the US win team gold at the world championships in 2022 and 2023.
“Shi” also took home bronze medals in all-around and asymmetric bars at the world championships in 2023. REUTERS
