Simone Biles recorded yet another crushing victory at the U.S. Olympic women’s gymnastics trials on Sunday, sending a clear message to her rivals that Rio Games gold is her next target. Both women won team and individual golds at the London Olympic Games in 2012.
Advertisement
Nine months ago, Douglas’ comeback trajectory since taking time off after the Olympics seemed on course, propelling her onto the world team and into second place in the all-around competition behind Biles. In order for her (Karolyi) to be convinced that the defending Olympic champion is fit for a great performance in Rio, she (Raisman) had to prove herself by showing some strides on floor exercise, beam and vault. She fell twice from the balance beam during the Olympic Trials, but team coordinator Marta Karolyi knows what she’s capable of. Raisman – who is the oldest member of this year’s team – won gold in the team and floor competitions.
Hernandez is only 16, and is the youngest of the women to make the team.
Given Raisman finished second to Biles at the P&G Championships and third at the Olympic Trials, she could do all four events in qualifying in Rio, setting her up for a shot at the all-around final.
MyKayla Skinner, Ragan Smith, and Ashton Locklear will also join the team as replacement athletes. She is now a member of Team USA, headed to Rio de Janiero and her first Olympics.
Douglas and Raisman are both returning for their second Olympic Games. None of this though takes away from how talented of a gymnast Skinner is nor what she was able to accomplish at the U.S. Olympic Trials.
A ruling on Maria Sharapova’s appeal of her two-year doping ban has been postponed until September, ruling her definitively out of the Olympics.
“They only have 12 minutes tonight”, said Aly Raisman, who did make the five-woman cut. Everyone in attendance stood by helplessly as they waited to find out the eight American female gymnasts who would compete with the world’s best at the 2016 Summer Olympics. “I’m just proud and honored to be selected”.
“I don’t think there’s a good enough word to describe the feeling besides if there’s anything happier than happy and relieved”, said Biles. Gabby Douglas turned heads when she made the team despite a seventh overall finish, but she brings strength where the team needs it for uneven bars. She hit every routine over four days of competition in nationals and trials, and she ranked in the top three in three events here.
Raisman began on vault, showing off her very tricky amanar to score an impressive 15.200. “To have her just lead this team, we’ve been there, and for us to be back on this road together is just awesome …”
“We’re still fierce”, Biles said.
There’s reason to believe that, and Douglas’ promise will make her one of the most fascinating Olympians in any sport. She finished the weekend in third place on the event behind Kocian and Locklear, the two fighting to be the bars specialist.
Advertisement
Aly Raisman competing in the floor exercise at the 2015 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Glasgow, Scotland, Oct. 24, 2014. Wowing the crowd with an wonderful routine which landed her in the top scores! It will likely be her only appearance in the team final.
