I was never a gymnast but I have always liked watching the summer Olympics and the five women competing for the United States in artistic gymnastics. My favorite year to watch was probably the 2012 Olympics because the Fierce Five was literally fierce. I watch gymnastics wishing I was able to be flexible or do crazy flips in the air or stay balanced on the beam. I watched the gymnastics trials intently this year and I thought all of the girls were amazing. Then again, I have no background in gymnastics so I cannot really judge them on technique or anything so of course all of the girls look flawless to me.

The five who ended up going to Rio are two London veterans, Aly Raisman and Gabby Douglas, Simone Biles, a gymnastics champion who we were all rooting for (she got the secured spot for having the highest all around score), Madison Kocian and sixteen-year-old Laurie Hernandez. I was hoping for Maggie Nichols to go to Rio just because her and her boyfriend are so cute on social media. Maggie Nichols was actually predicted to go to Rio up until the trials and surprisingly, she did not even make the team as an alternate.

Simone Biles placed first overall which came as no surprise to many people. At four feet nine inches, Simone Biles is a powerful competitor! Her floor routines are absolutely amazing to watch and she even has a signature move named after her. Simone did end up falling off the beam, but remained in first place throughout the trials. Watching her power through the vault is also an astonishing thing to watch. She basically perfects everything she does (at least to those of us who are just amazed by gymnastics routines and have no actual training in gymnastics).

Laurie Hernandez ended up placing second overall, just under powerhouse Simone Biles. At just sixteen-years-old, she is a fierce competitor and I am so excited to watch her compete in August. She is a cute little thing and she really looks up to the rest of the competitors. She is the youngest but I have no doubt that she will be a fantastic competitor in Rio.

Gabby Douglas did not place well overall, but her uneven bar routine saved her and is taking her to Rio. I was hoping Gabby Douglas would go back again until I watched the Olympic Trials. She didn’t seem to have her heart in it, but her bar routine was fantastic. I am happy she is going back to Rio because I remember her trying so hard and people kept telling her she was too old to go back. She is only twenty! I know gymnastics is a young sport but Gabby Douglas is only a year older than me! Also, Aly Raisman is twenty-two and is competing in Rio which is a great thing to see.

Aly Raisman, another London veteran, will be competing in Rio in August. Her floor routines are flawless. She ended up finishing third overall. Although Aly is definitely not the strongest on uneven bars, she makes up for it in her vault, floor, and beam routines. She is the oldest competing in Rio and a lot of the other competitors look up to her.

Madison Kocian is the competitor I haven’t really been keeping an eye on. She wasn’t the best overall competitor, but she sealed her spot on the Olympic Team with her beam routine. I don’t really know much about her, but I’m excited to watch her compete and to learn more about her in Rio.

The Olympics begin on August 5^th and will run until August 21^st. Gymnastics, diving, and swimming are at the top of my viewing list. Hopefully you are as excited to see the USA Gymnastics Team to compete as I am!