In a different era, Serie Jones would already be an Olympian. The 21-year-old has been a long-time member of the USA Gymnastics team on the world stage since her junior gymnastics career began 10 years ago.
While she has won multiple medals in international competition in the red, white and blue, she doesn’t have an Olympic medal on her resume, and in 2024, Jones will have a chance to win one.
The 21-year-old Jones is one of several gymnasts hoping to qualify for the Paris Olympics in 2024. The Seattle native is a member of the Ascend Gymnastics Center in Auburn, Washington.
Qualifying for the USA Gymnastics team is underway, and although Jones missed out on a spot in Tokyo, she is one of the favorites to make the team.
Here’s everything you need to know about Jones and her gymnastics career.
Read more: How U.S. Gymnastics Qualifies for the 2024 Paris Olympics
Who is Series Jones?
Jones is a gymnast from Seattle, Washington, who has represented the United States in international competitions since 2014.
She began her junior career in 2014 and competed at that level until moving to the senior level in 2018. With the senior team, Jones has already enjoyed a lot of success, including winning numerous medals.
Jones was part of the gold medal-winning U.S. team at the 2018 Pan American Championships and has also won gold medals in team events at the 2022 and 2023 World Championships. Individually, she won silver medals in the individual all-around and uneven bars at the 2022 World Championships and bronze medals in the same two events at the 2023 World Championships.
The gymnast was set to attend the University of Florida and was accepted, but decided to forgo college and focus on her gymnastics career.
Series Jones car accident
Jones was competing for a spot on the U.S. Olympic team for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics when he was involved in a car accident that left him with a broken ankle and spine.
She called the incident “devastating.” Despite the injury, she attempted to compete at the Olympic trials in June of that year, but finished 10th and did not make the team.
“I wasn’t confident, but I just wanted to go out there and do my best,” Jones told NBC Sports.
Series Jones’s Father
The car accident wasn’t Jones’ only tragedy in 2021. That same year, her father, Sylvester, passed away after a long battle with kidney disease. He had diabetes and was forced to undergo kidney and pancreas transplants.
@nbcolympics Shilese Jones always dreamed of competing in the Olympics, but after recovering from a car accident in 2021, she narrowly missed out on making the U.S. team. With the encouragement of her late father, she’s ready to finish what she started. ❤️ #gymnastics #shilesejones #olympics #usa ♬ Original Sound – NBC Olympics & Olympics
Following his death, Jones posted a heartwarming message on Instagram.
“Dad, you were my everything. My right hand to hold, my motivation, my soulmate, my shoulder to lean on,” Jones wrote in the caption. “You and I had a bond that could never be broken. It’s been so painful seeing and knowing how much you suffer every day and not being able to heal it.”
“You were the strongest warrior I’ve ever known. You did everything to help me succeed. You pushed me to be the best version of myself every day. You taught me right from wrong and valuable life lessons. I don’t know what I’d do without you. You were my everything. It wasn’t time for you to go. You deserved to grow old.”
“You truly are the best father and would do anything to make our dreams and wishes come true. I am so happy and honored to see you perform on the biggest stage of my life. You will always be in my heart.”
Series Jones’s Height
According to the USA Team Gymnastics website, Jones is 5 feet, 3 inches tall.
