5 important takeaways from women's gymnastics qualification at Paris Olympics 2024 ft. Simone Biles poised for four gold medals
Simone Biles led the way as the USA women's gymnastics team performed at the Paris Olympics 2024 qualification round. The seven-time medalist closed out three out of four rotations and emerged as the top scorer in all three.
Suni Lee and Jordan Chiles were impressive as well, with the two finishing right behind Simone Biles in the all-around standings. However, Chiles missed the cut for the finals because of the two-athletes-per-country rule.
5 takeaways from USA women's gymnastics qualification at Paris Olympics
#1 USA favorite for team gold
The USA women's gymnastics team displayed sheer dominance during the qualification round on July 28. They posted a score of 172.296, nearly six points more than second-placed Italy. USA amassed this imposing total despite Jade Carey’s ugly fall and Hezly Rivera's average scores. Unless all four gymnasts suffer major falls during the finals, the USA should easily win the team gold at the Paris Olympics 2024.
#2 Suni Lee is ready for an all-around medal
After everything that Suni Lee suffered in the last year, the defending all-around champion has made a dominant comeback, placing third in the all-around competition with a score of 56.132. She remains in contention for gold but it's going to be very tough for her to beat Simone Biles.
#3 Jordan Chiles was impressive but unlucky
Jordan Chiles finished fourth in the all-around standings with a score of 56.065, just 0.68 less than Suni Lee. With Simone Biles and Lee as the top two from the USA, Chiles missed out on the all-around finals. She would have been a favorite for the bronze medal if she had qualified for the finals. Nonetheless, the UCLA gymnast is qualified for finals in the floor exercise and is very likely to win her first individual medal.
#4 Simone Biles poised for four gold medals
Simone Biles will be the overwhelming favorite to win four gold medals in the finals, three individual and one team. The 27-year-old was unmatched in the all-around, floor, and vault competitions, posting dominant scores while fighting off calf pain. Biles won four gold medals at the 2016 Rio Olympics and is poised to leave Paris with a similar tally. A gold medal on the balance beam is also a possibility for the American.
#5 Rebecca Andrade remains a challenger to Simone Biles but offers no real threat
Rebecca Andrade didn't unveil her triple-twisting Yurchenko during the qualification rounds, meaning she is not likely to attempt it in the finals. She scored 14.900 in the vault for second place while Biles earned a massive score of 15.800 for her Yurchenko Double Pike, despite being in pain. Andrade was also second in the floor exercises and all-around behind Biles, by 0.700 and nearly two points, respectively.