As the world looks forward to witnessing the 2021 Olympic games, five new gymnasts are gearing up to make their Olympic debut, competing alongside the renowned Simone Biles.
While the world erupts in excitement as the long-anticipated Tokyo Olympics draws nearer, to some athletes, it means something bigger. Most notably, some of these athletes consider it an opportunity to thrill the world with their prowess and make a name for themselves as they make their debut at the Olympics 2021.
Among them are five young women, set to represent the United States as part of the 2021 women’s Olympic gymnastics team. These prolific gymnasts, led by the all-time favorite Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles are determined to make their country proud with their remarkable feats.
Given their performance at the U.S Olympic gymnastics trials, which took place from June 24 to June 27, 2021, these youngsters are unstoppable. Meet Simone Biles and her team of six who would lead the U.S to victory as they make their way to Tokyo.
1. SIMONE BILES
24-year-old Simone Biles is renowned as the most decorated gymnast of all-time with at least 30 medals won throughout her career. Additionally, the Olympian has four skills named after her, being the first and only athlete to have performed them in competition.
The four-time Olympic gold medalist made a name for herself after competing in Rio in 2016. During the 2021 Olympic trials, Biles emerged first place, with an overall total of 118.098.
While still unmarried, the Columbia native has dated fellow gymnast Stacey Ervin. The duo called it quits in 2020 after three years together. She has since sustained a relationship with football star Jonathan Owens.
2. SUNISA LEE
Sunisa Lee, 18, is the youngest gymnast heading to Tokyo as part of the USA Olympic gymnastic team of 2021. She finished 2.6 points behind Biles during the Olympic trials, earning a total of 115.832 points.
Her competitive gymnastic escapades date back to 2019 when she snagged three medals at the USA Gymnastics National Championship as a first-year senior elite gymnast.
Also in 2019, Lee represented the United States at the World Championship, nabbing a silver medal in the floor exercise. For the uneven bars event, the teenager took home the bronze medal.
The gymnast, who embraced the sport since she was six, is one of six siblings born to Yeev Thoj and John Lee.
3. JORDAN CHILES
Jordan Chiles finished in third place following the US Olympic trials for gymnastics in June, falling about one point behind Lee. The 20-year-old scored 114.631 points, placing second on uneven bars and third on floor exercise.
Previously, the athlete, who is committed to UCLA, competed at the 2021 Winter Cup, finishing first in the all-around, floor, and vault exercise. The event also saw her snag the silver medal in the beam category.
The daughter of Timothy and Gina Chiles, the star grew up in Vancouver, Washington. She relocated to Spring, Texas in 2019 to train at the World Champions Centre alongside Simone Biles.
4. GRACE MCCALLUM
18-year-old gymnast Grace McCallum earned her bid for the 2021 Olympics by placing fourth during the trial. She scored a total of 112.564 points in the all-around. For the uneven bars and beams, McCallum emerged fifth place, while the floor event earned her the fourth position.
She previously showcased her gymnastic prowess at the 2021 U.S Championship, where she won the bronze medal on beam exercise. Additionally, she competed as part of the team that nabbed the gold medal at the 2019 World Championship.
Born in Cambridge Minnesota, McCallum runs an online high school program, availing her more hours of training.
5. JADE CAREY
During the individual event World Cup series, 21-year-old Jade Carey won gold medals on the floor and vault exercises. The feat landed her a spot on the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, where she is set to compete in individual games.
For the US Olympic trials, the star competed only on bars and beam exercises on the second day, proving herself worthy of her ticket to Tokyo.
Carey, who embraced gymnastics from the young age of two trains under her dad Brian Carey.
6. MYKAYLA SKINNER
Mykayla Skinner, with 112.264 points made her bid for the Tokyo Olympics during the USA trials. The selection committee ultimately chose her as an individual competitor, second to Carey.
The 24-year-old also participated in the US trials for the 2016 Rio Olympics, where she was selected as an alternative. Also, she nabbed the silver medal in the 2021 U.S Championship in the vault exercises.
The Utah undergraduate emerged first place in the 2018 NCAA championship in vault exercise. That same year, she was the runner-up in the all-around competition.
These six women, making up the USA 2021 Olympic Gymnastic team would undoubtedly live up to their reputations as America’s finest gymnasts come July 23.
