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Everything to Know About the U.S. Gymnastics Olympic Trials: "Got to See It to Believe It"
Before America’s high-flying Olympic hopefuls can shine in Paris, France, first they must stick the landing in Minneapolis, Minnesota
If you’re one of the few who has yet to feel the electric energy of the rapidly approaching 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, prepare yourself because you’re about to get one hell of a shock to the system when the U.S. Gymnastics Olympic Trials kick off in Minneapolis, Minnesota June 27-30.
First held in 1960 in West Point, New York ahead of the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome, Italy, the trials are the final test for the nation’s most elite athletes hoping to represent America.
Known for hockey, The North Star State has also been a hotbed for some of the best gymnasts in the world, producing the likes of Grace McCallum, Shane Wiskus, and defending Olympic All-Around gold medalist Sunisa Lee, who returned home last year to make the announcement for her home state.
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“I am so excited and proud that Minneapolis has been selected to host the Olympic Trials,” revealed Lee, according to USA Gymnastics. “Watching the Olympians who came before me was such an inspiration when I was growing up, and it means so much to know that the young athletes of Minnesota will have a chance to watch and be inspired by the best gymnasts in America. I can’t wait for the Olympic Trials to be in my backyard.”
Where are the U.S. Gymnastics Olympic Trials being held?
The U.S. Gymnastics Olympic Trials will be held in Minneapolis, Minnesota at the Target Center, but that’s not all that’s going down in the Twin City.
Prior to the Olympic Trials, Minneapolis will take on the moniker of Gymnastics City USA 2024 as the Minneapolis Convention Center will host the USA Gymnastics Championships on June 22. Athletes will compete in rhythmic gymnastics, acrobatic gymnastics, trampoline and tumbling. The USAG National Congress and Trade Show, as well as the USA Gymnastics for All National Championships & Gymfest, will also take place at this time. The week will culminate in the highly anticipated Olympic Trials over the weekend of June 27-30 as the best artistic gymnasts from around the country vie for a coveted spot to represent America in Paris.
Following the conclusion of the trials, USA Gymnastics will announce the 2024 Olympic Team for artistic gymnastics live before the in-person audience at the Target Center, according to USA Gymnastics. The rhythmic and trampoline teams will be finalized after the USA Gymnastics Championships.
“There is no bigger stage for gymnastics in this country than the Olympic Trials,” stated USA Gymnastics President and CEO Li Li Leung. “With world-class venues in a compact urban environment and an incredible track record of successfully hosting large-scale events, Minneapolis is an ideal location.”
Where can I watch U.S. Gymnastics Olympic Trials?
Gymnastics fans, hoping to catch all the high-flying action that’s sure to take place in Minneapolis, Minnesota, can watch the U.S. Gymnastics Olympic Trials from the comfort of their home or on the go. The competition will be broadcast exclusively on NBC and streamed via its content platform Peacock.
Who is competing in U.S. Gymnastics Olympic Trials?
Out of the minimum of 12 competitors for each of the women’s and men’s teams at the trials, only five women and five men will be chosen to represent Team USA in the artistic category. While fans will recognize the names of Simone Biles, Sunisa Lee and Gabby Douglas — the last three gold-medal winners in the Olympic all-around — additional athletes hoping to land a roster spot for the women's team includes Shilese Jones, Jordan Chiles, Jade Carey, Skye Blakely, Trinity Thomas, Joscelyn Roberson, Zoe Miller, and Kayla DiCello. Participants campaigning for a spot on the men’s side are expected to include Asher Hong (Stanford University), Paul Juda (University of Michigan), Yul Moldauer (5280 Gymnastics), Fred Richard (University of Michigan), and Khoi Young (Stanford University).
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How do you qualify for the Olympic trials?
In order to qualify for the Olympic Trials, athletes must have been a member on the Olympic team during the 2020 Tokyo Games, participated in a sanctioned international competition during the 2023-2024 season, or been a Team USA member during the 2022 or 2023 World Championships. Additional eligibility rules state that the athletes must’ve competed in at least two apparatuses in either the American Classic tournament, the U.S. Classic, or the U.S. Gymnastics Championships. According to the USA Gymnastics selection procedures, the highest-scoring all-around athlete for the male and female teams will each automatically qualify represent Team USA for the Paris Games while the Athlete Selection Committee will select the remaining four gymnasts for each squad. Two traveling replacement athletes and two non-traveling replacement athletes may also be selected by the committee.
If Biles, Lee, and Douglas all punch their ticket to Paris, according to the Olympics website, it will be the first time an Olympic gymnastics team features three Olympic champions from the all-around category. It would also mark a triumphant return for Biles, who was forced to withdraw from the team final during the 2020 Tokyo Games due to the “twisties,” which is when a gymnast is suddenly unable to execute the requisite rotations in an aerial maneuver.
Interested in attending the event? All-session tickets for the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials are now available to purchase online at usagymolympictrials.com.
Graduate of St. Paul Central High School, three-time NCAA all-around champion at the University of Minnesota, and renowned three-time Olympic gymnast John Roethlisberger heralded the historic event, summing up the excitement that Minnesotans, the participants, and gymnastics fans all around are feeling.
“You got to see it to believe it,” said USA Gymnastics Hall of Famer Roethlisberger to CBS Minnesota. “It’s amazing.”
