Simone Biles Dominates U.S. Classic in Olympic Warm-up

Simone Biles Dominates U.S. Classic as Olympic Games Approach

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — With more than two months to go before the Olympic games kick off in Paris, Simone Biles is already showing that she’s ready to take on the competition once again.

The gymnastics superstar, who is bidding for her third Olympic team, demonstrated her dominance at the U.S. Classic on Saturday, posting an all-around score of 59.500. Biles was nearly two points ahead of the runner-up, Shilese Jones.

At 27 years old, Biles, the 2016 Olympic champion, showcased her prowess by recording the highest scores on vault and floor exercise. She also came in second on uneven bars and balance beam in her 2024 debut.

“I was just happy to be back out there, get through those nerves again, feel that adrenaline,” Biles said. “I can’t really complain how the first meet back was.”

During the competition, Biles performed some of her signature skills, including the Yurchenko double pike on vault and a tumbling pass that ends with a triple-twisting double-flip.

Despite a few missteps, such as taking big steps back on her vault dismount and landing out of bounds on her triple-double tumbling pass, Biles’ combination of difficulty and precision continues to set the standard in the sport.

As a virtual lock for the U.S. Olympic team, the spotlight now turns to who will join Biles in France. Jones, who excelled on bars and performed consistently across all events, appears to be a strong contender.

However, for other gymnasts like Gabby Douglas, the road ahead remains uncertain. Douglas, the 2012 Olympic champion, struggled at the U.S. Classic, falling twice on uneven bars and withdrawing from the remaining events.

Sunisa Lee, the 2020 Olympic title holder, demonstrated her elegance with a beam routine that earned her a score slightly higher than Biles’. Jordan Chiles, a 2020 Olympic silver medalist, and Jade Carey, who captured gold on floor in Tokyo, also competed in the event.

Unfortunately, the competition was not without its setbacks, as Konnor McClain, the 2022 U.S. champion, suffered an Achilles injury during warm-ups for floor exercise.

With the Olympic Games drawing closer, the pressure is on for gymnasts to secure their spots on the U.S. team. Biles’ stellar performance at the U.S. Classic signals that she is once again a force to be reckoned with on the world stage.