The world of gymnastics is known for its eye-catching moves and grace. However, for athletes, this sport can also bring uncertainties and rough patches to their careers. In the year 2022 Shilese Jones also faced her share of problems that come with the glitz and glam of gymnastics. Due to a series of unfortunate events, the athlete did not make the final cut at the Tokyo Olympics.
This year, however, the athlete was supposed to join the highly anticipated US Classic with Simone Biles and Gabby Douglas to chase her Olympic dreams on August 5. However, recently, Shilese shared a sad update on competing in the Olympic Trials.
Shelise Jones drops a sad update
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On July 28, the US Gymnastics Association announced that Seattle-based Shilese Jones would not be participating in the US Classics. The team announced the update via Twitter with the caption “Update: Shilese Jones will not compete at the Core Hydration Classic. We look forward to seeing her at the U.S. Gymnastics Championships in San Jose.” This year at the Core Hydration Classic held top-tier gymnasts Simone Biles, Sunni Lee, and Gabby Douglas are returning to the mat after a long hiatus.
#CoreClassic Update: Shilese Jones will not compete at the Core Hydration Classic. We look forward to seeing her at the U.S. Gymnastics Championships in San Jose.
— USA Gymnastics (@USAGym) July 28, 2023
The World silver medalist Shilese Jones joining the roster was exciting news. As the athlete exhibited an incredible performance at the 2022 world championship. The gymnast helped Team USA to reach the finals and also secured a silver in all-around even and uneven bars. However, in 2022, the athlete also faced failures as despite putting in her best efforts, Jones could not participate in the Tokyo Olympics.
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Shilese Jones not being able to participate in the Tokyo Olympics
In 2020, Shilese Jones was only a step away from joining the U.S. National team when the coronavirus delayed the big games. And before the trials for the Tokyo event in 2022, Shilese got into a car accident. The 20-year-old suffered many bone injuries, including a fractured back and a fractured foot, and could not participate in the big games. In an interview, the Shilese revealed, “Just coming that one spot away at the Olympic trials was devastating.” However, things only took a turn for the worse when, five months later, the athlete?s father passed away. Shilese Jones’ father, Sylvester Jones, passed away after fighting a long-term kidney disease.
Also read: ?If We Can Do It, You Can Do It? ? Simone Biles Encourages Young Black American Gymnasts to Aim Big
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This year, the athlete was supposed to fulfill her father?s dream of seeing her on the Olympic stage by participating in the trials. But after dropping out, Jones’s participation in the Olympics seems highly unlikely. Hopefully, Shilese Jones will now be seen in San Diego for the US gymnastics championship.
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