The road to Paris continues this week-end with the 2024 US Xfinity Gymnastics Championships, a major 2-day competition where gymnasts will be competing from May 30th to June 2nd in Forth Worth, Texas.
What, where, why?
The 2024 Xfinity Gymnastics Championships will take place at the Dickies Arena in Forth Worth, Texas. The Senior Women sessions will take place on Friday & Sunday. You will be able to follow the competition on USA Gymnastics Youtube Channel.
131 athletes are planning to compete over the course of 4 days, including 40 gymnasts in the Women's senior competition & 14 gymnasts in the Junior competition.
26 years-old gymnast Simone Biles is the oldest gymnast competing here, she is the reigning all-around US Champion. Simone is also an 8-time U.S. all-around champion (2013-16, 2018-19, 2021, 23) which is the U.S. record.
This competition is by far one of the most important of the year as the US National Team is announced on the last day of competition but more importantly it is the last competition before getting invited at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials.
The U.S. Olympic Team Trials taking place from June 27th to June 30th in Minneapolis, is a two-day competition that will determine the team for the Paris 2024 Olympics Games.
Gymnasts need to receive an invitation to compete at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials, a minimum of 12 gymnasts will be invited.
Additionally, the top two senior AA athletes from the two days of competition at the 2024 U.S. Championships will automatically qualify to the 2024 Olympic Trials.
For more information on the U.S Olympic Qualification process you can check this article.
What to expect from the gymnasts?
Below you can find some insights & a preview at what the gymnasts showed during Podium Training this Wednesday on May 29th. Detailed recap can be found on the following medias : Olympics.com & Gymnastic Now.
Gabby Douglas : Unfortunately, Gabby Douglas has just withdrawn from the competition as of Wednesday May 29th, she told ESPN she suffered an ankle injury this week. This will end her dreams for the Paris 2024 Olympics. She declared she is still planning to continue training with hopes to make the 2028 Olympic Team in Los Angeles.
Simone Biles : Without any surprise, Simone Biles is the clear favorite to win her historic 9th U.S. All-around title. She last competed at US Core Classics in Hartford on May 18th 2024 where she dominated the competition with 59,500 points all-around.
During Podium Training, Simone Biles successfully brought back her Cheng vault, she is not set to compete other upgrade.
Shilese Jones :
May 31st Update : Shilese Jones withdraws from the competition to focus on her shoulder recovery before Olympic trials.
Shilese is the second favorite gymnast to place behind Simone Biles.
Unfortunately, Shilese suffered a minor injury on her right shoulder after the US Core Classics two weeks ago, as per Gymnastics now, she couldn't raise her arm after the meet. Shilese's shoulder is heavily taped and still hurting. Despite her injury, Shilese Jones trained all four apparatus successfully today.
Suni Lee : Sunisa Lee will compete the all-around on both days, it will be her first time competing the all-around since the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. As per Gymnastics Now, her coach Jess Graba said her goal is to place top 5 in the all-around & top 3 on bars and beam.
In Podium training, she showed her Double Twisting Yurchenko vault which she hasn't competed since the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
She is not planning to put her full-twisting Jaeger on bars this week-end as she wishes to compete stress-free in the all-around.
Jordan Chiles : Jordan placed third in the all-around at US Core Classics where she showed great consistency on all 4 apparatus. She will be looking to repeat that performance on both days, as she is one of the top contenders to make the Paris Olympic Team.
Skye Blakely : Skye Blakely is hoping to redeem herself after a disappointing performance at the US Core Classics where she fell on uneven bars. She trained a massive upgrade during podium training : a Cheng Vault, Round-off 1/2 on, layout 1.5 valued at 5.60 difficulty. She will potentially compete this vault upgrade this week-end.
Jade Carey : Jade Carey put up an impressive performance at US Classics two weeks ago, she finished 4th in the all-around with 54,400 points. During Podium Training, she showed her Moors (Double layout 2/1) on floor, she only compted a Chusovitina at US Classics. The US Championships will be a great test for as as she is also a strong contender to make the U.S. Olympic Team.
In conclusion
This competition will test the endurance of gymnasts as it is taking place over the course of two days. It will be a great preview to identify top gymnasts looking to make the Olympic team.
The all-around & apparatus champions will be crowned on Sunday.
What are you looking forward to see?
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