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Where to Watch 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, they had to 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 you watch the U.S. Gymnastics Olympic Trials, which took place 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 can I watch U.S. Gymnastics Olympic Trials?
Gymnastics fans can watch the U.S. Gymnastics Olympic Trials from the comfort of their home or on the go. All four days of competition can be streamed on Peacock, NBCOlympics.com, NBC.com and the NBC/NBC Sports apps.
Who competed in the U.S. Gymnastics Olympic Trials?
Out of the 16 women and 20 men competing at the trials only five were chosen from each group to represent Team USA in the artistic category. While fans will recognize the names of Simone Biles and Suni Lee— the last two gold-medal winners in the Olympic all-around — additional athletes hoping to land a roster spot for the women's team included: Shilese Jones, Jordan Chiles, Jade Carey, Joscelyn Roberson, Kayla DiCello, Kaliya Lincoln, Eveylynn Lowe, Zoey Molomo, Hezly Rivera, Simone Rose, Tiana Sumanasekera, and Leanne Wong.
Participants campaigning for a spot on the men’s side included: Asher Hong, Paul Juda, Yul Moldauer, Fred Richard, Khoi Young, Fuzzy Benas, Jeremy Bischoff, Cameron Bock, Tate Costa, Alex Diab, Patrick Hoopes, Josh Karnes, Brody Malone, Kiran Mandava, Stephen Nedoroscik, Curran Philips, Kai Uemura, Colt Walker, Donnell Whittenburg, and Shane Wiskus.
Skye Blakely was among the female gymnasts looking to clinch a spot on the team, but she withdrew from the trials on Thursday citing an injury to her Achilles heel, according to NBC News. Shilese Jones and Kayla DiCello later withdrew mid-competition, having both suffered injuries during the trials, NBC News reported.
Where were the U.S. Gymnastics Olympic Trials held?
The U.S. Gymnastics Olympic Trials were held in Minneapolis, Minnesota at the Target Center.
Prior to the Olympic Trials, Minneapolis took on the moniker of Gymnastics City USA 2024 as the Minneapolis Convention Center hosted the USA Gymnastics Championships on June 22. Athletes competed 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, also took place at this time. The week culminated in the highly anticipated Olympic Trials, in which the best artistic gymnasts from around the country vied for a coveted spot to represent America in Paris.
Following the conclusion of the trials, USA Gymnastics announced 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.”
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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.
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.”
Originally published Mar 27, 2024.
