Simone Biles and the US women's gymnastics team took centre stage on Sunday in Paris for the qualifying rounds at the Bercy Arena. Biles is hoping to secure her fifth Olympic gold medal, adding to her already impressive seven Olympic medals overall. She previously won two medals in Tokyo, after withdrawing from the all-around competition to prioritise her mental health.
Competition commenced at 9:30am CEST (3:30am EST) with Subdivision 1, while Biles and the rest of the American team were scheduled to compete in Subdivision 2, starting at 11:40am local time. They began their routines on the balance beam.
Biles will be the anchor for three of the four events for the US team on Sunday: the balance beam, floor exercise, and vault. She will compete next-to-last on the uneven bars. Reigning all-around champion Sunisa Lee and Tokyo silver medalist Jordan Chiles will also compete in all four events during qualifying.
The top eight teams from qualifying will advance to the team final on Tuesday, while the top 24 individual all-around qualifiers will progress to the individual final on Thursday. A maximum of two gymnasts per country can compete in the individual finals.
Biles opted to skip the Opening Ceremony on Friday, prioritising rest and preparation for Sunday's qualifying competition.
When are the next Team USA women's gymnastics events?
Tuesday, July 30 - Women's Team Final: The women's team final will begin at 12:15pm ET/9:15am PT. It can be watched on NBC or streamed on Peacock.
Thursday, August 1 - Women's All-Around Final: The women's all-around final will start at 12:15pm ET/9:15am PT.
Saturday, August 3 - Women's Vault Final: The women's vault final will begin at 10:20am ET/7:20am PT. It can be watched on NBC and Peacock.
Sunday, August 4 - Women's Uneven Bars Final: The women's uneven bars final will begin at 9:00am ET/midnight PT.
Monday, August 5 - Women's Balance Beam Final: The women's balance beam final will begin at 6:36am ET/3:36am PT.
Monday, August 5 - Women's Floor Exercise Final: The women's floor exercise final will begin at 8:20am ET/5:20am PT.
Where to watch the women's gymnastics
Individual and team gymnastics events at the 2024 Olympics will be broadcast on NBC New York, USA Network, and E!. Streaming will be available on Peacock, NBCOlympics.com, NBC.com, the NBC Olympics app, and the NBC app.
Biles seeking a new skill named after her
Biles is aiming to add to her impressive collection of skills named after her in the gymnastics' Code of Points. She submitted a new skill on the uneven bars to the International Gymnastics Federation on Friday. If she successfully completes it during the qualifying rounds on Sunday, it will become the sixth skill bearing her name in the code.
Biles already has two elements named after her on vault, including the Yurchenko double pike, as well as on floor exercise, and one on balance beam. If successful, she will become the only active gymnast to have a namesake skill on all four events.
The new skill submitted by Biles involves a forward circle around the lower bar before transitioning into a handstand and completing a 540-degree pirouette. USA Gymnastics teased the move on X on Friday.
When does Simone Biles compete next at the Olympics?
Biles is expected to compete in the women's all-around final on August 1.