Legendary gymnast Simone Biles and 2020 Olympic individual gold medalist Suni Lee’s names were missing from the 2024 Winter Cup entry list.
The 2024 Winter Cup is scheduled to be held from February 23 to 25, at the International Convention Center in Louisville, Kentucky, with elite athletes embarking on the Olympic year.
The 2012 London Olympics individual gold medalist Gabby Douglas will make a comeback to the sport after staying silent for eight years. However, Biles, who withdrew from the last Olympics after experiencing twisties, and Lee, who had to end her college career post the Tokyo Olympics after facing a kidney issue, are missing from the entry list.
With the Paris Olympics nearing, this year’s event gains increased interest. The Winter Cup serves as the qualifying event for the 2024 U.S. Gymnastics Championships and helps athletes earn their spots on junior and senior national teams.
Biles made a return to elite gymnastics after a two-year hiatus at the 2023 U.S Classic at the Hoffman Estates, clinching three gold medals, including the all-around, balance beam, and floor exercise events. Despite their Olympic ambitions, Biles and Lee are absent from this competition.
The other prominent athletes to compete alongside Douglas are Skye Blakely, Olympic silver medalist Jordan Chiles, Pan American gold medalist Kaliya Lincoln and Zoe Miller, three-time NCAA Champion Trinity Thomas, and Tiana Sumanasekera.
