by Jeanni Ritchie
By the time you read this, the Flashy Five will have already made their appearance on the podium, hopefully adorned with gold medals.
Since they had yet to choose a moniker for the team as I wrote this, I had to select one for them. It fits, after all. Their leotards were unveiled on July 10, those red, white, and blue outfits with more than 10,000 Swarovski crystals paying homage to the 1996 Magnificent Seven’s first ever team gold medal win in Atlanta.
Dominique Moceanu, member of the 1996 team, is proud of that accomplishment while also demanding accountability and oversight for today’s gymnasts. She is one of the most outspoken retired gymnasts on X, unofficially serving as both cheerleader and advocate for the today’s gymnasts.
Of course, sitting at home, we knew none of what the athletes were going through back then. I thought Kerri Strug was a national hero after performing her second vault. I told Moceanu recently that I still picture her open tumbling pass every time I hear the intro to The Devil Went Down to Georgia. She was gracious, reminding me of why we fell in love with her in Atlanta.
When those opening chords sounded and she puffed out her chest, the home country crowd roared. She represented us. The whole team did. We loved them all. did. We also bought into the win-at-all-costs mentality.
We didn’t know any better.
Simone Biles changed that.
Arguably one of the greatest gymnasts of all time, Biles shocked America when she walked away from the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, citing her mental health. Nobody could blame her. Revelations about abuse, coverups, and the Larry Nassar court trial had dominated newsfeeds since the 2016 Olympics.
Americans were divided. Some supported her decision to withdraw, arguing that prioritizing your own well-being is mandatory. Others claimed that she took a spot from someone who would’ve gladly competed in her spot. No one expected her to return to USA Gymnastics.
But after a two-year break and a wedding to Chicago Bears DB Jonathan Owens, Biles returned to the gym. She quickly proved that she still had what it takes to win Olympic gold.
After the Team Trials saw three of the top contenders (Shilese Jones, Kayla DiCello, Skye Blakely) lose their Olympic dream to injuries, it began looking like Paris would be Tokyo Part 2.
Indeed it was! Joining Biles on the Flashy Five roster are four of the silver medalists from the 2021 team, including reigning Olympic All-Around gold medalist Suni Lee, who competed at Auburn University before returning to elite competition.
Also leaving collegiate gymnastics behind to focus on Paris was Jordan Chiles (UCLA). Chiles has been on the U.S. Women’s National gymnastics team since 2013.
Jade Carey, reigning Olympic floor champion, pulled double duty this year, remaining at Oregon State to compete on the collegiate level while simultaneously competing at the elite level to earn a return spot on Team USA’s Olympic roster.
(Have you ever been to a NCAA gymnastics meet? It is the who’s who of elite gymnastics!)
Rounding out the Flashy Five is Hezly Rivera, the 16-year old newcomer from New Jersey who brings championships on the balance beam as well as the all-around. Rivera trains under Valerie Liukin at WOGA in Texas, home of former Olympians Nastia Liukin, Madison Kocian, and Carly Patterson.
Women’s Team Finals were held on July 30. The individual all-around final will be on August 1 with vault final on August 3, uneven bars final on August 4, and balance beam and floor on August 5.
Go Team USA!
Jeanni Ritchie is a contributing journalist and lifelong gymnastics fan. From January-April, she splits her Friday nights between Tiger Stadium and the Coleman Coliseum. She can be reached at jeanniritchie54@gmail.com.
