Team USA gymnast suffers serious injury just before 2024 Olympics

Team USAG (USA Gymnastics) has suffered a blow following what appears to be a serious injury to a team member.

Read more: An ankle injury ends the three-time Olympic gold medalist’s bid to return to the U.S. national team

According to Gymnastic Now on X: “Shilese Jones just did a double Yurchenko twist during warmup and hit the mat awkwardly, falling backward. Immediately something is wrong – looks like a lower extremity area, maybe a knee. She is being helped off the court by Sarah, her coach and the medical staff #USAGTrials24.”

While the extent of the injury is unknown at this time, the explanation seems to indicate that Jones suffered what could be considered a serious injury and had to receive treatment from her trainer and medical staff.

Jones had already been struggling with a shoulder injury she sustained ahead of the Xfinity US Championships, which took place in Fort Worth, Texas, from May 30 to June 2. The injury forced her to withdraw from the competition hours before it began. Jones filed a petition to compete in the 2024 Paris Olympics qualifiers despite the shoulder injury, which was ultimately accepted. However, the injury she sustained Friday could prevent her from competing in the Olympics.

Jones kicked off his season at the Core Hydration Classic, also known as the US Classic, which took place May 17-18 at the XL Center in Hartford, Connecticut.

During the event, Jones won the silver medal in the all-around behind Simone Biles. She also received the gold medal over Biles on the asymmetric bars and tied with Kaliya Lincoln for the silver medal in the free exercise, also behind Biles.

Jones would likely be a candidate for the 2024 Paris Olympics squad, but the injury she suffered could prevent her from participating in the Olympics again.

Jones is a six-time world championship medalist, but has yet to make it to the Olympics. When she tried to make the 2021 team, she failed at the Olympic qualifiers in St. Louis, finishing 10th. All nine members of the team who finished higher than Jones joined the team as players and substitutes.

Jones sustaining an injury just before qualifying for the 2024 Olympics is, to put it mildly, heartbreaking. While she likely had hopes of finally breaking through and making it to the biggest stage in gymnastics, she may have to wait another four years. USAG should provide an update on Jones as soon as possible.