“Barely Could Raise My Arm”: Shilese Jones Finally Opens Up on Injury That Made Her Skip Nationals Ahead of Paris Olympics

“We’ve slowly been building back up into routines. So she’s been doing her full routines,” said Sarah Korngold, who has been coaching US classics runner-up Shilese Jones since 2022. Jones has experienced major ups and downs in her career. She won six medals at the last two world championships, including an all-around silver in 2022 and an all-around bronze in 2023. However, she had to withdraw from the Xfinity Games due to a shoulder injury.

This has generated significant anticipation among fans eager to watch Jones in the 2024 Paris Olympics, especially as she will face stiff competition from Simone Biles. Now, for the first time, Jones is opening up about the injury that forced her to miss the Nationals. She reveals the intense challenges she faced and the arduous journey of her recovery.

Shilese Jones divulges the details of her recovery ahead of Paris Olympics

In a recent interview on Olympics.com on 27 June 2024, Shilese Jones detailed her biggest concern heading into the Olympic trials. Although she finished runner-up to Simone Biles with a score of 15.250 at the Core Hydration Classic, things took a turn for the worse during the Xfinity Games. A previous shoulder injury flared up, resulting in a small tear in the labrum of her right shoulder. Jones said, “Right after I got off the floor [there], like I didn’t hear ‘click.’ I didn’t hear any pops, nothing major. I was just like, ‘Oh, my shoulder’s a little sore’. And then, I was like, ‘No, it’s really sore,’” She went on to add: “Friday, I barely could raise my arm.” 

She withdrew from the meet and had to subsequently stop training and wait for the inflammation to subside. However, her petition was accepted, as reported by USA Gymnastics, who write on X, “The Athlete Selection Committee has approved petitions from Shilese Jones & Kaliya Lincoln to the Olympic Trials”. So she has been given the green signal to participate in the Olympic team trials for gymnastics in Minneapolis. However, another problem has popped up. Coach Korngold detailed how they don’t have enough repetitions in their routine. Jones’ training had to be gradually increased after her rest, delaying her full readiness.

However, her coach was optimistic when she said, “Hopefully, she’s proven enough to the selection committee that she does build fitness quickly, she does get in shape fairly fast and we have more time.”During the final practice before the trial started, Jones’ lack of endurance was evident. Though she performed every element of her uneven bars routine, she was unable to complete a full routine. While she nailed a Yurchenko double twist, she struggled with the balance beam. What’s important is that her body is feeling good, and Jones still has a couple more workouts to keep improving.

Shilese Jones is better prepared for the Olympics this time around

Shilese Jones spoke to USA Today about her injury and whether she will be able to participate in top form at the trials saying, “It hurt. I’m not going to lie. But I won’t give up. It’s all part of the process and after this, I can rest.” She’s also reportedly feeling “pretty good” about her chances of making it onto the Olympics team. Jones did not participate in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics due to several setbacks. In January of that year, she unfortunately met with a car accident which resulted in a fractured back and ankle.

Due to her long recovery, Shilese Jones finished 10th in the trials and missed the 5-member team. She also faced personal tragedy, losing her father, Sylvester Jones, to kidney disease. However, Jones is back this time, determined to do her best. Jones will face stiff competition, including Simone Biles, who is undoubtedly the best gymnast in America, maybe even the world. Barring serious injury or unforeseen calamities, Biles is set to go to Paris. Suni Lee is also back on the mat after overcoming kidney disease.

Other competitors include Jordan Chiles, Kayla DiCello, Leanne Wong, and Skye Blakely, who previously withdrew from the Olympics due to an Achilles injury. Despite the tough competition, Jones is as ready as she can be. Coach Korngold highlighted Jones’s uncanny ability to quickly improve through routines, a quality they are counting on before the showdown on Friday.