Introducing the U.S. Gymnastics Team, Explained as Pop Music Icons
As the countdown to Paris 2024 continues, all eyes are on the U.S. Olympic Team Trials for gymnastics, which recently took center stage at a bustling Target Center in Minneapolis, MN. The trials culminated in a triumphant display of resilience as Simone Biles, the most decorated gymnast in history, claimed the top spot, marking her inspiring Olympic comeback after a challenging hiatus. Biles, who withdrew from Tokyo 2020 to prioritize her mental health, is now ready to showcase her unparalleled talent on the world stage once again. The team's journey to redemption goes beyond Biles, as every member brings a unique and compelling narrative to the mix, fueling their collective determination to seize the ultimate prize. As Paris beckons, this powerhouse squad is poised to captivate the world with their unwavering spirit and pursuit of excellence.
“This is definitely our redemption tour. I feel like we all have more to give”
With a combination of familiar and new faces, the U.S. team is now ready to claim the French stage. This roster is an exciting mix of personalities and skills, with individual backstories fueling their Olympic fire. And what better way to explain them than through the language we speak best: pop culture. To help you get to know them better, we created a quick guide to understanding who they are in pop terms.
The (No.) 1s: Simone Biles & Taylor Swift
Two powerhouse women, Taylor Swift and Simone Biles, have been making waves in their respective fields, proving that age is just a number and not a limit to their success. Taylor, amidst a sold-out world tour, and Simone, securing her spot for a remarkable third Olympic appearance, are undeniably in their GOAT eras. At 27, Simone has shattered records, becoming the oldest woman to grace the Olympics since 1952, while Taylor, despite previously mentioning it could be one of her last opportunities for such success, continues to thrive as an artist. Beyond their exceptional talents, both women have been candid about their mental health struggles. Taylor has opened up about the toll of fame and public scrutiny in her 'Miss Americana' documentary and various interviews, and Simone cited 'mental health concerns' as the reason for her withdrawal from the Tokyo Olympics. Their openness has sparked crucial conversations about mental health in their industries. Notably, they have publicly praised each other, with Simone even featuring Taylor's song "Ready For It" in one of her routine performances at the trials and Taylor expressing her admiration for Simone. One last invisible string they share? Both their partners are involved with the NFL—Simone's husband, Jonathan Owens, plays for the Chicago Bears, while Taylor is dating Travis Kelce, who plays for the Chiefs.
Rare Comebacks: Suni Lee & Selena Gomez
If you had asked Suni Lee one year ago what her road to Paris 2024 looked like, getting second place in the trials and joining the team might not have been her answer. In February 2023, the reigning Olympic all-around champion noticed unusual swelling in her body. After several doctor visits, she was diagnosed with an incurable kidney condition. But, like Selena when she was diagnosed with Lupus, she didn't let this obstacle deter her from succeeding. While Selena came back into the spotlight to create a two-billion-dollar makeup empire and star in one of the most popular T.V. shows in recent years ("Only Murders in the Building"), Suni decided, once she was cleared by her doctors, to go back to training and aim for a spot in the U.S. team heading to Paris. Their resilience and determination are a testament to how talent and hard work will not be stopped, helping them find the rare beauty of adversity to return stronger than ever.
“This comeback was so much more than my return to elite gymnastics. It was me proving to myself that I can overcome hard things, and to hopefully inspire others to never let life’s setbacks stop you from going after your dreams”
They Run the World: Jordan Chiles & Beyoncé
"If you guys want to know what my motto is this year, my motto is 'I'm that girl,'" Chiles told reporters at a U.S. Gymnastics squad's national team camp in February. Quoting Queen B and even wearing Renaissance tour-inspired outfits in her latest competitions, Jordan has also taken a page or two of Beyoncé's unwavering self-confidence as the guiding star of her attitude, as both are unapologetically aware of their worth. While in Bey's case, it translates into anthems that remind us we all are THAT girl, Jordan has channeled all that energy into her floor routines, performing magnetic choreographies that capture the attention of all the eyes in the room. These bold and precise moves are all part of her secret, as she thinks, "If you can bring the crowd in, it actually brings you at ease." And no one knows about captivating a crowd quite like Beyoncé herself. Whether it's playing a monumental headlining set at Coachella or executing a Yurchenko double full at the vault, it's clear these girls can give us a lesson or two on how to claim your confidence and display it with style; let the results speak for themselves.
“I feel like I’ve proved enough to this world that I feel like I don’t have to express a lot. [...] I can just be authentic to who I want to be. If you don’t like it, you don’t like it”
HOT TO GO (TO PARIS)!: Jade Carey & Chappell Roan
Jade started training gymnastics as soon as she began to walk. Her parents owned a gymnasium, so enrolling in classes seemed like an obvious next step. However, despite training her whole life under her dad's guidance as a coach, she only became an elite competitor when she was 17, an uncommon age to join since most people start as young as 12. Nevertheless, immediately after joining, she won two silver medals at the 2017 World Championships. Just like Chappell, she became an established name in a short time that positioned them at the top. As they say, "It takes years to become an overnight success," these girls have proven so by putting in the work and trusting their moment would come. While Jade already had an Olympic run in Tokyo 2020 and secured a silver team medal, she once again has the chance to showcase why she is one of the 13 gymnasts in NCAA history to achieve a gym slam (scoring perfect 10s in every event), the equivalent of Chappell drawing in immense crowds at Coachella, Governors Ball, and most likely every other future festival performance she has coming up.
Good 4 Them: Hezly Rivera & Olivia Rodrigo
Hezly Rivera is here to complete the team, which is an incredible achievement, considering she just turned 16. Getting her driver's license to drive through the suburbs might have to wait, as she will spend the next weeks preparing for her first Olympic games. Like Olivia, her parents became aware of her abilities from a very young age. Funnily enough, when they were both aged 5, respectively, they noticed the potential talent and decided to sign them up for lessons: Olivia for vocal ones and Hezly for gymnastics. That encouragement and support from their families eventually paid off, as they spend the summer performing at the main stages of their respective fields. Being the youngest in the room doesn't scare them either, as they are both just taking the opportunity to do what they love and get the recognition they deserve. While Olivia already has 3 Grammys under her name, let's hope this is only the start of Hezly's accolade collection, as they are both young and bring a freshness to the scene that allows them to have fun and enjoy the ride.
The combination of talents, experiences, and backgrounds will make for interesting participation during the Olympics for this team, especially in terms of how the balance between expertise and novelty will play out with such a diverse roster regarding abilities and backgrounds. However, we have no doubt this team has all it takes to shine bright and perform like the superstars they've proven to be throughout their careers.