Simone Biles dominated the second night of competition at the U.S. Gymnastics Olympic Trials on June 30. By finishing as the all-around champion, Biles automatically clinched her spot on the women’s gymnastics roster for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
At age 27, she is the oldest American gymnast to compete at the Olympics in 72 years. She’s also the fourth American woman to compete in a third Olympics. She joins Muriel Grossfeld (1956-1964), Linda Metheny (1964-1972) and Dominique Dawes (1992-2000)
Cheering Biles on in Minneapolis, Minnesota, was her husband, Chicago Bears safety Jonathan Owens. After his wife locked down her spot, he posted a proud message on his Instagram stories.
“We going to Paris,” Owens wrote. “Man, I’m so proud.” However, because the Olympics take place between July 26 and Aug.11, he may not be able to attend in person as he did for the U.S. trials.
The Bears’ training camp starts July 19 and the team has four preseason games between Aug. 1 and Aug. 22. These mandatory workouts will be featured on HBO’s “Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Chicago Bears.”
As for Biles, she appeared both confident and relieved after the U.S. Trials concluded. “I knew I wasn’t done after the performances in Tokyo,” she told NBC.
“So just getting back in the gym and then working hard and just trusting the process with Cecile and Laurent (Landi) – I knew I’d be back.”
On how she made her big comeback, “Being in a good spot,” Biles answered. “Seeing my therapist every Thursday.”
Biles earned a 117.225 score, almost six points higher than Suni Lee, who also made the women’s gymnastics roster, along with Jade Carey, Jordan Chiles and Hezley Rivera.
