Shilese Jones, a prohibitive favorite to make the U.S. Olympic team, is out of the gymnastics trials, USA Gymnastics announced Saturday. Jones injured her left knee on a warmup vault during the first day of trials competition, landing awkwardly and immediately leaving the floor.
She returned to complete her uneven bars routine but scratched the rest of the meet. Officials said she was being evaluated and a decision would be made on her return. Jones, the bronze medalist in the most recent World Championships, was expected to slot alongside Simone Biles as an all-arounder in Paris.
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She was forced to withdraw from the U.S. Championships with a shoulder injury earlier this month, but petitioned to compete at Trials. Jones was prepping for competition, a mere 15 minutes before the meet was slated began, when she injured her knee.
Her loss is yet another blow to a deep and talented team that is looking to secure a gold medal in Paris. Kayla DiCello and Skye Blakely, also both strong contenders to make the Olympic squad, both tore their Achilles this week and are out of the competition as well. That leaves 13 women to claim the five spots on the final night of trials Sunday.
Required reading
- Kayla DiCello, contender to make U.S. Olympic gymnastics team, out of trials due to Achilles injury
- Simone Biles dominates first day of U.S. Olympic gymnastics trials as injuries shake up field
- They have one of Team USA’s toughest jobs: Picking Simone Biles’ Olympics teammates
(Photo: Tim Clayton – Corbis / Getty Images)