Every four years, at around this time, millions of Americans tune into NBC to watch Olympic trials. Swimming, diving and gymnastics often make the headlines, pushing hardworking athletes into the spotlight as a result of their spot on the Olympic team. Gymnastics, in particular, has many "four year fans" who are often not up-to-date on what goes on with the sport during the time between Olympic Games. With the P&G Championships this past weekend, fans of the sport are slowly starting to pay attention, eager to see who will make the team. Although the U.S. Olympic Team for the men was already chosen (consisting of John Orozco, Chris Brooks, Jacob Dalton, Sam Mikulak and Alex Naddour), the women have yet to compete in Olympic Trials. The girls below are the names you should be keeping an eye out for at Trials, taking place July 8-10 in San Jose.
Simone Biles
Simone is, by far, the best gymnast in the world, and quite possibly the best in the history of gymnastics. In a sport in which tiny fractions of points usually separate first place from second, Simone consistently exceeds her competition by huge margins, winning Nationals by almost four points this year.
Simone is the four-time National All Around Champion and the three-time World All Around Champion, having won 14 World medals of which 10 are gold. She is (knock on wood) a lock for Rio and will become one of the biggest stars gymnastics has ever produced.
Aly Raisman
In 2012, Aly defied odds and became America's most decorated gymnast, winning two golds and a bronze. After taking time off following the Olympics and due to injuries sustained during the Kellogg's Tour of Gymnastics champions, she decided to make a comeback into elite gymnastics and she has proven to be a fierce competitor once again.
At the competition this past weekend, she was absolutely incredible, coming in second place behind Simone in the All Around. She looks even better than she did in this clip from 2012, and she performs even more difficult skills. She, too, is a lock for Rio (knock on wood).
Gabby Douglas
Possibly the most well-known name in gymnastics, Gabby is the reigning All Around Olympic champion from London 2012. She, too, took time off after the Olympics, but decided to return to elite competition. She switched gyms, has landed a reality TV show, and even has her own line of emojis, but she has stayed focused on training.
She seemed a bit off at championships, but she has been phenomenal all season and I highly doubt that one competition will change the fact that she is almost definitely going to Rio, especially if she competes an Amanar at Trials. Not to mention, she came in second at Worlds in the All Around last year behind Simone, so she is most definitely capable.
Laurie Hernandez
Laurie is a first year senior, having just turned 16. She is sassy, exuberant and skilled, especially on beam, floor and bars. She will be an asset to the team, and in my opinion, not selecting her will be a huge mistake. She placed third behind Simone and Aly in the All Around this past weekend, proving herself among the older girls. She's definitely one to watch.
Madison Kocian
Madison has been deemed a "bars specialist," but in reality, she is a talented All Arounder, which is almost as important. She placed fifth in the All Around (behind the girls listed above), and could contribute in more places than just bars. However, she placed behind Ashton Locklear on bars at the Secret Classic and P&G Championships, which, number wise, complicates the matter.
Ashton Locklear
Speaking of Ashton, she is an absolutely beautiful bars worker, and has such grace and elegance on the apparatus. She would be a great addition to the team and would most definitely help raise the United States' bars score, but the fact that she is not an All Around gymnast could be a disadvantage in the eyes of the Selection Committee.
Maggie Nichols
Maggie, whose nickname is "Swaggie Maggie," was a key member of the 2015 World Championship team, which won the gold medal. However, she suffered a knee injury earlier this year and until this past weekend, she hadn't competed since March when she placed second behind Gabby Douglas. If Maggie is back to her "swaggie self" at Olympic Trials, then she definitely has a chance of making the team for Rio (I'm crossing my fingers).
Ragan Smith
Ragan is a tiny 15-year-old who has done tremendously in her first year as a senior. However, at P&Gs the nerves got to her and she made several mistakes, coming in 8th All Around. She qualified to Olympic trials, so we shall see how she does there. She is strongest on beam, which is where she could make a case for herself. Even if she doesn't make the team (at the moment, I think she could be a strong alternate), she's so young that I'd love to see her dominate this next quad leading into Tokyo in 2020.
MyKayla Skinner
MyKayla has some of the most difficult skills in the world, especially on beam and floor. She is also the only American vaulter who does two vaults besides Simone, which makes her valuable. Unfortunately, MyKayla had a few falls on beam the second day of Nationals, but she has the potential to be a beneficial alternate as well.
Amelia Hundley
Amelia has been competing for what feels like forever, and I couldn't be happier that she came in sixth All Around and qualified for Olympic Trials. She, too, would be a great alternate. Unfortunately, NBC didn't show her at all this past weekend, but hopefully we'll get a glimpse at Trials.
Brenna Dowell
Brenna competed for Oklahoma for a year but decided to come back to elite. She has had a rough few years filled with disappointment, and she is a definitely an underdog. However, she too would be a strong alternate and everyone would love to see her succeed.
Alyssa Baumann
Alyssa is a beautiful beam worker, and is sure to show that at Trials.
At this point, I have no idea how the selection committee can choose just five gymnasts to represent the United States in Rio this August. Tune into NBC on July 8 at 9 p.m. EST and July 10 at 8:30 p.m. EST to find out who will make the Women's Artistic Gymnastics Olympic Team!
