“Simone Biles is not just a gymnast; she’s a force of nature,” reflects Laurie Hernandez, former Olympic gymnast and close friend of the legendary athlete. In 2016, Hernandez stood proudly on the podium alongside Simone Biles as part of the historic team that swept medals at the Rio De Janeiro Olympics. Now, with the Paris Olympics approaching, Hernandez predicts Shilese Jones will join Biles in the quest for glory.
Jones, a force to reckon with, became a two-time U.S. Champion in 2022 and has amassed 6 medals at the World Championships. Her prowess on the uneven bars, winning consecutive national titles in 2022 and 2023, underscores Hernandez’s confidence in Jones’s Olympic potential. As anticipation grows for the Paris Games, Hernandez’s insights seem to unveil a diamond in the rough come the Paris Olympics.
Simone Biles’ teammate is a star-studded who is as fierce as Lady Biles herself
In a recent interview with US weekly on June 24, 2024, 2x Olympic medalist Laurie Hernandez spoke about her hopes for Shilese Jones. After Simone Biles, who is an obvious favorite to qualify into the women’s gymnastics team, Hernandez said, “Shilese Jones is also an athlete who has been really just on [Simone’s] tail throughout the year”. Earlier this year, Shilese Jones withdrew from the Xfinity national championships after a shoulder injury made her unable to even lift her arm.
It was a flare up from the labrum tear in her right shoulder. When she withdrew, she said it was because the Olympics were her primary focus. It was a decision made alongside coach Sarah Korngold. After her appeal was approved, Shilese Jones is set to participate in the gymnastics trials at Minneapolis. As part of her preparation, she is working out with resistance-based equipment as well as starting out with low-impact routines that help her recover faster.
Hernandez, who is returning as an NBC correspondent after her retirement in 2021, has spoken highly of Shilese Jones’ dedication and her perseverance to come back after injury to still give her Olympic dreams a shot. Her consistency was also noticed by Forbes, who wrote in an article, “Jones hit 26 of 27 performances in an unprecedented display of consistency (a 96% hit rate).” Other than her and Biles, one of the three other spots on the team is predicted to be filled by Skye Blakely, according to Hernandez.
Shilese Jones eager to pull her weight as part of the Olympic team
In 2022, at the US championships, Shi Jones became a champion twice. She had 2x top-three all-around finishes at the world championships, two team gold medals, and two medals on the uneven bars. This year she is looking forward to participating in the all-around, floor, and beam. Additionally, she is also a top-notch contender in bars. Moreover, Jones is also looking forward to bringing back the artistic element into the sports, telling International Gymnast that artistry is something she “strive[s] for. It’s not just the difficulty but also how clean you can make it.” Though Simone Biles and Shilese Jones are fiercely competitive and often go head to head in competitions, their friendship dates back to the Gold Over America tour in 2021 when they became close friends.
Shilese Jones also often praises Simone Biles’ contribution to the sport and its image. She told Today, “Honestly, she is so inspiring. You know, to have someone older in the gymnastics community and to go out there and hit routine after routine meant so much. Honestly, to have The GOAT out there, as she calls herself, is just unreal to be up there on the podium with her.” Though 3 years ago, Jones finished 10th and could not make the cut, this year in Minneapolis, Simone Biles and Shilese Jones will compete against each other. Though Biles is a clear favorite to win, Jones also may earn her spot amongst the five-member team.
