All roads lead to Paris, France for the 2024 Olympic Games. But for 15 women vying for a shot on the five-person USA roster—with two alternates—they first had to leave it all on the mat in Minneapolis, Minnesota for the 2024 U.S. Artistic Gymnastics Olympic team trials. Despite the pressure the nation’s top gymnasts were under, and a series of devastating injuries, Black girl magic reigned supreme throughout the two days of competition. And yes, ESSENCE was seated in Target Center for all the action.
On Friday, June 28, 2024, the women’s trials started off with lots of jitters and nerves, as expected. Just days before the event, Skye Blakely ruptured her Achilles tendon during the team podium training. A favorite for many, she was honored with an emotional standing ovation during the opening night. No less than an hour into the event, two other ladies suffered serious injuries, including Shilese Jones, another top contender slated to earn a spot as well. Without knowing the true severity of her injury, Jones pushed through her uneven bars routine and earned the highest score on the apparatus of the night. Visibly in pain and her knee wrapped most of the evening, she stuck her dismount with a smile, which brought her mother to tears in the stands.
After…
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