The USAG (United States Gymnastics) team has suffered a major blow after one of its athletes sustained a serious injury.
read more: Ankle injury rules out three-time Olympic gold medalist for U.S. return
Jones twisted Yurchenko twice in her warm-up and was slammed clumsily to the mat, falling backwards. She immediately felt something was wrong, somewhere in her lower leg, possibly her knee. She was helped off the field by Sarah, her coach and the medical staff. #USAGTrial24
— Gymnastics Now (@Gymnastics_Now) June 28, 2024
According to Gymnastic Now on X, “Sergio Jones was warming up performing a Yurchenko double twist when she was slammed awkwardly to the mat and fell backwards. She immediately felt something was wrong – somewhere in her lower leg, most likely her knee. She was helped off the field by Sarah, her coaches and medical staff. #USAGTrials24.”
The extent of Jones’ injuries is currently unknown, but the report states he suffered serious injuries and required assistance from coaches and medical staff.
Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images
Jones was already dealing with a shoulder injury she suffered before the Xfinity U.S. Championships, held May 30-June 2 in Fort Worth, Texas. The injury caused her to withdraw from the competition just hours before it was scheduled to begin. Despite the shoulder injury, Jones applied to compete in the Paris 2024 Olympic Trials and was ultimately granted the spot. But the injury she suffered Friday may keep her out of the Olympics.
Jones kicked off his season at the Core Hydration Classic (also known as the U.S. Classic), held May 17-18 at the XL Center in Hartford, Connecticut.
Jones won the silver medal in the all-around behind Simone Biles, beat Biles to win the gold medal on the uneven bars, and tied with Kariya Lincoln for silver on the floor exercise, also finishing behind Biles.
Jones was a sure bet for the 2024 Paris Olympic team, but injury could keep him out of the Games again.
Jones is a six-time world championship medalist but has yet to qualify for the Olympics. She aimed to make the national team in 2021 but was disappointed with a 10th-place finish at the Olympic Trials in St. Louis. All nine team members who finished above Jones will make the national team as players and reserves.
Jones’ injury just before the 2024 Olympic Trials is heartbreaking to say the least. She was probably hoping to finally have a breakthrough and make it onto gymnastics’ biggest stage, but she may have to wait another four years. USAG should provide an update on Jones as soon as possible.
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom, seeking common ground and finding connections.
