Gymnastics scoring 101
For many years, understanding gymnastics was pretty simple — falls are bad, and a 10 is the best score! Some of the old rules still stand, but scoring in the sport is more complicated than it was in past decades.
Here’s everything to know about modern scoring in gymnastics so you can watch Biles and the rest of Team USA contend for Olympic glory with an expert eye.
It's Pride weekend in Gymnastics City
Hundreds of thousands of people descended on downtown Minneapolis this weekend for both the U.S. Olympic gymnastics trials and the annual Twin Cities Pride.
“I’m proud to proclaim Gymnastics City USA Week in Minnesota as our state hosts the gymnastics Olympic trials for the first time,” Gov. Tim Walz said ahead of the trials.
The festivities included a parade, which passed by the Target Center, where the trials are being held, a few hours ago.
Twin Cities Pride was first held in 1972 and has since grown into one of the largest Pride celebrations in the country, with 600,000 estimated to attend, according to organizers.
Taylor Swift: Biles' biggest fan?
Biles is ready for it.
Biles chose to execute some of her most impressive tricks to the intro track of Taylor Swift's "Reputation" album — "...Ready For It?" — which is featured in Biles' U.S. gymnastics trials floor routine. Yesterday, Swift showed her support for the GOAT.
In response to a video of Biles' that NBC Olympics and Paralympics posted to X, Swift replied that she has "[w]atched this so many times and still unready."
"She’s ready for it tho," Swift added, referring to Biles.
The Tokyo Olympians and who?
Based on Friday’s results, the four returning Tokyo Olympians appear primed to return to the Games. The big question tonight is: Who will join them in Paris?
A week ago, the younger, greener athletes in this trials field had next to no shot at making this Olympic team. After a wave of injuries tore through the top American contenders, they are no longer dark horses, and they now find themselves at or near the top of the standings.
With their Olympic dreams abruptly within reach, it will be interesting to see how Hezly Rivera and Tiana Sumanasekera, both 16, respond to the spotlight.
Sneak peek of tonight's looks from gymnastics' biggest stars
The women of USA Gymnastics are READY, sharing a glimpse of their looks for the final night of Olympic trials on social media.
Biles and Jade Carey posted selfies to social media in their matching GK Elite leotards for the trials tonight.
The women's field — now down to 13 contenders after three injury withdrawals — is split into two squads, with each group of gymnasts switching its leotard styles for days one and two of competition.
Gabby Douglas 'heartbroken' for Jones after injury forces withdrawal
After an ankle injury intercepted her own historic comeback this season, three-time Olympic gold medalist Gabby Douglas weighed in on Jones' withdrawal from the trials.
"I'm completely heartbroken," Douglas said on Instagram.
"No one deserved it more," she said, referring to Jones' securing a spot on the Olympic team.
The two gymnasts trained together at Buckeye Gymnastics in Westerville, Ohio, while Douglas geared up for the 2016 Rio Olympics, but both have since moved to other gyms.
Simone Biles leads going into tonight's final
Simone Biles is four routines away from making her third Olympic team.
She led her Olympic and club teammate Jordan Chiles by 2.5 points after the first day of competition at the Olympic trials. Reigning Olympic all-around champion Suni Lee rounded out the top three.
Meet the men representing the U.S. in Paris
The men’s team was named at the U.S. Olympic gymnastics trials in Minneapolis yesterday: Frederick Richard, Brody Malone, Paul Juda, Asher Hong and Stephen Nedoroscik are going to Paris.
The alternates are Shane Wiskus and Khoi Young. They barely missed the official team but are still considered Olympians by the U.S. Olympic Committee.
“We have a chance to win a medal, and that’s what we’re going to do,” Malone said after yesterday’s final.
Jones will miss Paris Olympics after injury
Nobody pictured Paris without Shilese Jones.
USA Gymnastics announced yesterday that, after evaluation, Jones will not be compete in the trials today, slashing her hopes of making the Paris team.
Jones, 21, was a near-lock for the Olympic team after having won six world championship medals in the past two years.
Warming up on the vault at Friday’s trials, Jones landed short and immediately cradled her knee.
Catch up on NBC News' latest reporting on the Olympics
- Gabby Thomas and Noah Lyles win 200-meter finals at the U.S. Olympic trials
- Runner qualifies for second Olympics after nearly missing race because of portable restroom mishap
- Sports watchdog under scrutiny as former U.S. gymnast facing misconduct allegations judges Olympic trials
- Sport climber Brooke Raboutou describes seeing the rapid growth of the event