Only five spots are open on the U.S. Women’s Gymnastics team for the 2016 Olympics, and for the potential qualifiers, it could be the pinnacle of their careers.
Veterans including Gabby Douglas and Aly Raisman — both on the 2012 London squad that took gold in the women’s team all-round event — are looking to make the team the oldest group ever to represent the United States at the Olympics. Newcomers like Simone Biles are hoping to become the new face of the sport.
We spoke to some of the women hoping to qualify for the team during their recent visit to legendary coach Bela Karolyi’s Texas ranch. Read a little about them below and get to know some of the possible Rio contenders!
Gabby Douglas
Hometown: Virginia Beach, Virginia
Age: 20
Favorite event: Floor & Beam
Favorite exercise: Crunches
Favorite “cheat” food: Pizza
Favorite hobbies: Reading, knitting
Biggest crush (boy/girl): Theo James
Role model: My mom is definitely my role model. She definitely had a lot of hardships as a child growing up. And she was a single mom and had to deal with four kids and she still managed to do it and keep me in the sport of gymnastics and keep everyone fairly there, so she’s taught me a lot, and there is more to learn.
What would making the team mean to you? It would just be phenomenal, knowing coming back wasn’t necessarily easy, but all the hard work is going to pay off in the long run.
Aly Raisman
Hometown: Needham, Massachusetts
Age: 21
Favorite event: Floor
Favorite exercise: I love/hate running on a treadmill. Great workout, but I don't like running.
Favorite "cheat" food: Frozen yogurt
Favorite music: Hip-hop, R&B
Favorite hobbies: Shopping, hot yoga
Biggest crush (boy/girl): Scott Eastwood
Role model: When I was younger, I loved the 1996 Olympic team. I used to watch (their performance) over and over again on a VHS tape. I was obsessed with it.
What would making the team mean to you? It is something I think about 24/7 all the time. I can’t imagine not making it. It’s my whole entire life. I’ve worked so hard for it. Only five girls get it, so it would be very difficult, but it would mean everything to me. I mean, that’s why I’m doing gymnastics right now.
MyKayla Skinner
Hometown: Gilbert, Arizona
Age: 19
Favorite event: Floor
Favorite exercise: Elliptical. Getting one at home to get some extra work in!
Favorite "cheat" food: Fries
Favorite music: Taylor Swift
Favorite hobbies: Jewelry, beading
Biggest crush (boy/girl): Sam Hunt
Role model: Shawn Johnson. She’s really powerful and has a bubbly personality and has always been my favorite to watch.
What would making the team mean to you? We’ve trained all these years and it would just be awesome to have my hard work finally pay off and especially like six more months I just have to give it my all and do the best I can.
Simone Biles
Hometown: Spring, Texas
Age: 18
Favorite event: Floor
Favorite exercise: Jumping, squats, anything legs.
Favorite "cheat" food: Pizza
Favorite music: "Hands to myself" by Selena Gomez
Favorite hobbies: Shopping, friends
Biggest crush (boy/girl): Zac Efron
Role model: The Fierce Five (2012 London Olympic Women's Gymnastics team), Alicia Sacramone and Shawn Johnson.
What would making the team mean to you? It would mean the world to me because the past couple years I’ve worked so hard for this and to see it all finally pay off would be a dream come true.
Madison Kocian
Hometown: Dallas, Texas
Age: 18
Favorite event: Bars
Favorite exercise: Elliptical. Not too hard on the legs, but a great workout.
Favorite "cheat" food: Frozenyogurt
Favorite music: Carrie Underwood
Favorite hobbies: Swimming, shopping, Texas Rangers
Biggest crush (boy/girl): Carrie Underwood
What would making the team mean to you? All the hard work and all the hours have finally paid off. Huge accomplishment and nice reward. Not just for myself, but for all the coaches that have helped me.