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Last week, in the tunnels of the Target Center, Olympics hopefuls met with officials and a friendly dog who were busy tryouts for the U. S. Olympic gymnastics team.
Beacon, a furry golden retriever, had a task to do, just like everyone else. Two years ago, the team’s wellness room coordinator, Tracey Callahan Molnar, treated USA Gymnastics president Li Li Leung with dogs. And since then, Beacon has been doing well. earned through the team.
During the tryouts, USA Gymnastics also had psychologists for gymnasts who were not part of the Olympic team and a personal area where those gymnasts could spend time with their families. Two of the biggest stars of the competition, Simone Biles and Suni Lee from St. Louis. John’s, Paul, was quick to cite treatment as the key to his success.
And when three gymnasts — Skye Blakely, Shilese Jones and Kayla DiCello — suffered injuries that forced them to retire, the athletes’ intellectual aptitude became an even more pressing issue.
In a highly intellectual game like gymnastics, physical and intellectual fitness are inseparable, both for injured athletes and for the teammates with whom they work out day in and day out. The nature of his high-flying abilities presents physical risks and the strain to very At best, a pass or connection with no deductions by the judges can prove astounding, especially when an Olympic ticket is up for grabs.
“This is the toughest festival that has ever been held in our lifetimes,” said Jordan Chiles, a two-time Olympian.
But the intellectual aptitude and well-being of athletes have not been the most sensitive in the world of gymnastics. Biles, a seven-time Olympic medalist, faced public complaints when she withdrew from the Tokyo team and all-around competitions because of “spins” — an intellectual block that causes gymnasts to lose control over their bodies, posing a risk of injury.
“Tokyo gave us the opportunity to open up that level for this discussion,” Biles said. “Now we athletes are a little more in tune and we trust what our gut is telling us and we just take a little more intellectual fitness. “seriously. “
After DiCello helped get off the track after the first control jump, Lee wiped away tears and followed her friend and roommate on the next jump attempt, a 13. 525. His score on the second night is understandably higher, 14,100.
“It’s been very beneficial for my intellectual health,” Lee said. “I had to meet with my therapist and try to fix my head because it was so devastating to see some of my friends get knocked out of this big competition. “
Lee, Biles and Paris replacement Joscelyn Roberson said they relied on their teammates’ practice to stay on the court after watching their friends get injured. And when Biles was interviewed on the Target Center jumbotron after winning the all-around, her mention of the treatment won a wave. of applause from the crowd.
“[Biles] honestly put me in a position to perceive what it’s like to be an athlete in your game and also a person,” Chiles said of her teammate.
Lee, in particular, cited the help of team doctor Marcia Faustin after she was diagnosed with incurable kidney disease in 2023 and told her she would possibly no longer compete. All this while returning from the Olympic summit of a gold medal in the individual modality overall in Tokyo. When asked about his goals for Paris, Lee began his answer by gently reminding himself to “manage expectations. “
“After I got sick, [my mind] was no longer available for the Olympics. “I was just looking to get healthy again,” Lee said. Over the past few months, I’ve been looking to put myself out there and think about myself. “
The gymnasts who will travel to Paris are the oldest and most decorated U. S. women’s gymnastics team in Olympic history. Chiles said the aging of gymnasts is part of “the dynamics, the culture, all this kind of change” and that USA Gymnastics understands its athletes. better.
Historically, in gymnastics, young athletes have been introduced to Olympic stardom before they could vote, or, in the case of this year’s youngest American gymnast, 16-year-old Hezly Rivera, even before she learned to drive. At 22, three-time Olympic gold medalist, Aly Raisman, dubbed the “grandmother” of the 2016 gymnastics team.
While joking about her early bedtime, Biles apologized Sunday for the Raisman nickname. At 27, Biles is now the oldest gymnast in the United States since the 1950s.
Leung also pointed out that three injuries per festival are an explanation for why to take a break and think again about the speed and spacing of festivals after the Paris Olympics.
“What we’re going to do is take a look at the style, do research and report on this event, find out what the style is for the athletes and make sure we prioritize the fitness of the athletes going forward,” Leung said. .
After Blakely ruptured his Achilles tendon in Wednesday’s practice, Roberson said he “looked at Simone so quickly and I thought, ‘I can’t take care of this. I have to go. ‘” He withdrew from the team final in last year’s final. World Championships after injuring his ankle during the jumping warm-up.
“This feeling is unlike any other,” he said. I don’t wish it on my worst enemy. “