In less than a year, viewers around the universe will tune in to the 2016 Rio Olympics to see each country compete to be #1. With all the amazing and intense sporting events that are ahead, one can only question this:
Who will be the 2016 U.S. Women's Olympic Gymnastics Team?
At the 2012 London Olympics, we were lucky enough to witness the "Fierce Five" win the first Olympic Team Gold since the win of the "Magnificent Seven" in the '96 games. No one can forget the magical moment when Aly Raisman performed her floor routine flawlessly, which helped U.S. win the gold. When discussing this particular subject, we're only hoping that history will repeat itself. Which brings us to this:
Which girls are on the track of bringing back the team gold for a two-peat?
Well, here are the statistics.
Simone Biles
In 2013, Simone Biles won the national all-around title and then won Worlds two months after. Later in 2014, Biles once again won the National AND World title by a four point margin. It is clearly apparent that Biles is on the fast track in gymnastics, and she's the one to beat for Rio 2016.Her routines are completely action-packed and each transition between moves is smooth as silk. If she keeps this up, she could be the next all-around Olympic Champion. For sport fans everywhere, it is safe to bet that Biles has a reserved spot for Rio. Hey Biles, just go ahead and start packing your bags.
Gabby Douglas and Kyla Ross
Both Douglas and Ross were part of the "Fierce Five" in 2012, and based on their drive and accomplishments, they're certainly not ready to be retired just yet! Currently Douglas has gone back into competing, joining Ross who never took a break. Since 2000, gymnasts have failed to make back-to-back Olympics, but if anyone can do it, it is these two. Gabby's beam routine still holds as an asset for Team USA, while Ross has been medaling left and right. Ross was the youngest member of the 2012 team and a first-year senior who hadn't even competed at Worlds before the Olympic Games. At the 2013 and 2014 Nationals, Ross placed second at both and earned the all-around silver and bronze at the 2013 and 2014 Worlds. Even though gymnasts have failed to make back-to-back Olympics, something tells me that we can expect at least one of the two "Fierce Five" members noted above.
Aly Raisman
Her Twitter bio lists, "Two-time Olympic champion, three-time Olympic medalist," and that might just grow. Aly is already back and competing, working harder than ever. She competed in Jesolo, placing in third, and placed fifth at the Secret Classic. She has noted that she has more improvements to make, but could Aly speed up to the level that her teammates are on? Fingers are crossed! It has been shown that Aly has more difficult tumbling passes ,and she is more determined than ever. I certainly don't want to see Aly end in the same way Nastia Liukin did.
Bailie Key
Key earned her title as the 2013 U.S. Junior National Champion, and seems to be the underdog who continues to improve each time she competes. Even though she sat out the 2014 Nationals due to an arm injury, 2015 has proven to be her year. At Jesolo, she placed second behind teammate Simone Biles, then competed for the first time at the U.S. Secret Classic and placed fourth overall. Being that 2015 is Key's first year as a senior, she is clearly a force to be reckoned with. I can say confidently that we may see Key as one of the five girls for the 2016 Women's Olympic Gymnastics Team.
MyKayla Skinner
Skinner has placed sixth all-around at the 2013 U.S. Senior Nationals and fifth in 2014, and earned Bronze on Vault at the 2014 Worlds. Even though MyKayla might not be pulling in the titles and wins like Biles, she definitely has the opportunity to be named to the future World and Olympic teams. Her difficult skills prove to be another asset to these future teams, focusing on the apparatus of Vault and Floor. Skinner has competed a double-twisting double layout on Floor, and can do both an Amanar and Cheng Vault. Skinner would be labeled at the secret weapon and can definitely allow the 2016 Olympic Team to earn their Team Gold again.
Rio 2016 is less than 365 days away, but for these gymnasts, there is no time to waste. With the upcoming competitions, Team USA is in the making, and they'll only be out for blood. Without a doubt, Team USA can easily hang gold medals around their necks with the right team. Can Simone Biles continue to dominate, or will she burn out? Can Raisman, Ross, and Douglas carry on for the "Fierce Five"? Or will the fresh faces of Bailie Key and MyKayla Skinner earn a new name for the U.S. Women Gymnasts? Can these five girls be our next Olympic Team? Only in time will we find out. Game on, girls; may the odds be ever in your favor.
Stay tuned until next time...
