"I may not have competed in Paris, but I played an important role" - Team USA alternate Leanne Wong speaks about her Olympic campaign

By Janhavi Shinde

Modified Aug 01, 2024 08:53 GMT

Leanne Wong recently opened up about her role at the 2024 Paris Olympics in the USA Women's Gymnastics squad. He accompanied the gymnastics squad, including Simone Biles, Jordan Chiles, Suni Lee, Hezly Rivera, and Jade Carey as a traveling alternative.

She earned the spot on the team after settling in seventh place in the individual all-around event at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Gymnastics Trials, held in Minneapolis with 110.425 points. She also secured third place behind Jade Carey in the uneven bars, scoring 28.95 points.

The University of Florida gymnast gathered 27.825 in the uneven bars, 26.875 in the balance beam, and 26.775 in the floor exercise. Wong joined the team as an alternate along with Joscelyn Roberson, who secured sixth place in the all-around event in Minnesota.

Wong tagged along with the team as an alternate for the second time, once being at the Tokyo Olympics. Following the U.S. women's gymnastics team's recent victory, the 20-year-old reflected on her Tokyo Olympics experience and drew the difference between the two editions, stating at the previous Games, she was unable to cheer for her team or spend time with family given the COVID safety measures.

In contrast, at the Paris Games Wong was seen in the stands, cheering for her team. She shared a picture along with her family in Paris and wrote:

"I may not have competed here in Paris but I played an important role. I didn't get to cheer on Team USA, sightsee, shop, or have my family with me at the last Olympics. So I'm grateful."

Screenshot of Wong's Instagram story.

Wong further shared a video of her attending the women's gymnastics team final, stating the experience as incredible.

Screenshot of Leanne Wong's Instagram story.

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"My idol" - Leanne Wong expresses her admiration for Lee Kiefer

Leanne Wong at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Gymnastics Trials in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Getty Images)

Leanne Wong expressed her admiration for Lee Kiefer, who secured a gold medal in the women's foil event in fencing after defeating Italy's Flora Pasztor at the Paris Olympics.

Wong, who is pursuing her degree in Health Education and Behavior stated that Kiefer, who along with fencing pursuits is also seeking her education as a medical student at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine, is her role model.

She shared a few pictures of Kiefer on her Instagram story and wrote:

"My idol - Olympic gold medalist and med student."

Screenshot of Wong's Instagram story.

The women's all-around event final is slated for August 1, 2024, at 18:15, according to local time.