ROTTERDAM, Netherlands — It's never too early to start debating who will make the U.S. women's gymnastics team for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
Skye Blakely made herself indispensable — provided she's healthy — by winning the all-around title and bronzes on vault and uneven bars as well as being, in general, the rock of the U.S. team at these world gymnastics championships.
"I do feel like this was just huge overall for Skye," said Chellsie Memmel, the technical lead for the U.S. women's team. "Honestly, with or without the medals. Had she done the same performances and hit everything, that growth would have still been so evident."
So that's one person for the five-person LA28 team. Here's a look at the other gymnasts who will be in
the mix for the next Olympic team:
Simone Biles. Duh. The G.O.A.T. has a place on a U.S. team so long as she wants it. She's still deciding on a comeback, but hasn't ruled it out. (Insert Dumb and Dumber GIF here.)
Charleigh Bullock. Offers a big uneven bars score and consistency across all four events.
Jade Carey. Two-time Olympic champion is being intentional about her return after a year off, not rushing her big skills. But she showed enough progress this season to be the non-traveling alternate for worlds, and has several upgrades planned for next year. Would offer big, consistent scores on vault and floor exercise.
Dulcy Caylor. Stepped in at the last minute when Hezly Rivera got hurt, proving she's got mental strength to go with big-scoring routines on balance beam and floor exercise.
Jordan Chiles. Two-time Olympian took time off after her final season at UCLA but announced return to training in September. Floor is her best event, but she's a great utility player.
Reese Esponda. Powerful tumbler would help the U.S. women on floor exercise and, when she gets a second big-scoring skill, vault. Probably not room on the U.S. team for both her and Jade Carey, however, since their skill sets are so similar.
Shilese Jones. Two-time all-around and uneven bars medalist at the world championships. She was a lock to make the Paris team until she tore her ACL and injured the meniscus in her left knee at Olympic trials. Would most help the United States on bars, but could contribute on balance beam and floor exercise, too.
Suni Lee. Has six Olympic medals, including an all-around gold (Tokyo) and bronze (Paris), despite never having optimal conditions at the Summer Games. Her training for Paris was shortened by a debilitating kidney disease, and the leadup to Tokyo was a surreal experience because of COVID. Given the success she's already had, it would be something to see what she can do when she's fully healthy and not in the middle of a pandemic. Uneven bars are her signature event, but she's a true all-arounder.
Katelyn Ohashi. Perhaps the most intriguing possibility for the U.S. women. Now 29, she announced a return to elite gymnastics in June after a 13-year absence. She didn't make it to the U.S. championships this year, but her training clips recently have shown promise. Oozes charisma and personality, which could be particularly useful on floor exercise and balance beam.
Claire Pease. Masterclass in pacing this season, going from second at nationals to the floor exercise title and vault silver at the world championships. Also made the all-around final. Nothing seems to faze her.
Hezly Rivera. The Paris gold medalist's biggest obstacle to LA28 might be staying healthy. She's missed the last two world championships with a left ankle injury.
Joscelyn Roberson. Missed the team final at the 2023 world championships after seriously injuring her left ankle, but made it back to be an alternate on the Paris team. Powerful tumbler and vaulter, and NCAA gymnastics has only improved her charisma and choreography.
Leanne Wong. Alternate for both the Tokyo and Paris Olympics and 2025 all-around silver medalist at world championships. Injured her knee Aug. 4 during training at the U.S. championships and had to withdraw from the world team selection camp. Uneven bars is her best event, but strength is in being a utility player.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Our way-too-early look at USA women’s gymnastics for LA28 has some surprises and question marks
