Three years ago, the sporting world’s perspective on mental health shifted when Simone Biles withdrew from the all-around and team final events at the Tokyo Olympics. This bold step by the defending champion prompted communities to recognize the importance of mental health and take it seriously. However, Biles’ withdrawal also transformed Jade Carey’s world—not only by highlighting the significance of mental health but also by granting her first Olympic all-around participation. Now, the 24-year-old gymnast aims to continue her success alongside Simone Biles.

In an interview with the media in Oregon on July 10, Jade Carey was asked about her findings between the last Tokyo Olympics and her entry into the Paris Olympics. Notably, on June 30 this year, she confirmed her selection in the US women’s gymnastics all-around team for the Paris Olympics. Reflecting on the differences, the OSU standout said, “I think the main thing that sticks out to me is I’ll able to be a part of the team final, which is something really special.”

Carey further noted, “I feel like that’s the meet that really brings us all together because we’re all fighting for that same goal.” This mindset highlights the concerted effort needed to achieve success in Paris next month. Needless to say, Simone Biles is a crucial part of the ‘us’ Carey referred to in her comments. Carey likely recalled how, in Biles’ absence, she became the vital cog in the US Olympic lineup in Tokyo.

Three years ago at the Olympics, Simone Biles’ exit elevated Jade Carey to the top contender from the USA in the all-around contest alongside Suni Lee. Previously, because of the two gymnasts per country rule, both Biles and Lee had earned their nominations in the event based on their scores in the qualifications, with Carey ranking third among the American gymnasts. So in Biles’ absence, Carey became the next American gymnast to join the all-around team. But in the final, she couldn’t create the expected mark as her fall in the balance beam event dismissed her chance to finish in the top 3. 

That fall extended its vicious claw again as in the subsequent vault final as well, Jade Carey continued to pay the price. This time, she made an unforgivable mistake in the event because of her missteps. And the horrific result followed her. Although, after Simone Biles, the Arizona native had the cushion of being the favorite in the event. Her dominant vault schedule ‘the Carey’, or ‘the tucked Kasamatus full’ had added to that hope beforehand. But on the final day, her out-of-sync steps made the show dismal. 

After losing such events, Jade Carey had only the floor exercise event to grow her fame. In this event as well, she could battle with Simone Biles. But the latter’s bow out made her compete less in a measure. Nonetheless, Jade Carey grabbed the chance with her hands folded and became the Olympic floor exercise champion. But the concerted effort Jade Carrey spoke about last Wednesday had been very much present in Tokyo as well. 

Jade Carey joins Simone Biles to kill floor 

Jade Carey knows that her teammates will be the biggest opponents in clinching the all-around title in the Paris Olympics. Among them, Simone Biles could be the giant one as her recent form is nothing less than majestic. But such factors do not fade the bonding she enjoys with her teammates. Rather, it has always been a family-like affair between the gymnasts. This bonding was exemplified in the Tokyo Olympics. 

As we have added before, Jade Carey appeared in the floor exercise final after facing heartbreaks in the all-around and vault events. So, to make a comeback from such a standing needed something more than grit, and Jade’s teammates especially, Simone Biles added that needed an agent to make the Beavers’ talent an Olympic champion. 

After her victory, she informed People magazine how her teammates had reminded her that she had the mettle to rage the floor, despite the initial hitches. As far as Simone Biles’ pep talk was concerned, she added, “She just said, ‘It happened and [you] can’t do anything about it,’ and she’s just like, ‘Let’s go out and kill floor.’ So that’s what I did.” Since then, the bonding has never gone off-footed while the duo has competed against each other several times. So if Jade Carey pushes herself extra in Paris, don’t be surprised as her motivation could be to pay back Simone Biles by earning the team title, that was missed in Tokyo.