Simone Biles, along with fellow gymnasts Suni Lee, Jordan Chiles, and Jade Carey, have secured their spots on the U.S. Olympic gymnastics team for the 2024 Paris Games, each driven by unique personal motivations.
Biles, at 27, becomes the oldest American woman to make an Olympic gymnastics team since the 1950s, seeking redemption after her widely-discussed withdrawal from several events in Tokyo 2020.
This “redemption tour,” as Biles calls it, represents more than just athletic achievement. It’s a testament to resilience, mental health awareness, and the evolving narrative surrounding elite athletes. Biles, in particular, has taken intentional steps to balance her life, including regular therapy sessions and a focus on personal relationships outside of gymnastics.
The team’s composition reflects a shift in the sport’s landscape. The easing of NCAA rules around name, image, and likeness has allowed older gymnasts like Carey (24), Chiles (23), and Lee (21) to continue competing while capitalizing on their fame. This experienced team brings a level of maturity and perspective previously unseen in U.S. women’s gymnastics.
Biles’ journey back to the Olympic stage has been marked by unparalleled success, including a sixth world all-around title and record-breaking national championships. However, she approaches the Paris Games with a nuanced understanding of success, focusing on personal growth and enjoyment rather than external expectations.
The trials also highlighted the precarious nature of Olympic dreams, with leading contenders like Shilese Jones, Skye Blakely, and Kayla DiCello sidelined by injuries.
This stark reality underscores the physical and mental toll of elite gymnastics and the thin line between triumph and heartbreak.
As the team prepares for Paris, they carry not only the weight of national expectations but also the responsibility of representing a new era in gymnastics—one that prioritizes athlete well-being alongside athletic achievement.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.