The 2016 women's U.S. Olympic Trials begin tomorrow night, July 8, in San Jose, California, at the SAP Center. Two days of competition will determine the five members of the Rio team.

Fourteen gymnasts will take the floor tomorrow night. It's about to get intense out there as each athlete puts their dreams on the line.

Simone Biles

Of course, you’re not going to want to take your eyes off Biles. Her mortality is frequently questioned by those who have watched her dominate the sport for three straight years. If there would ever be a lock for an Olympic team before the Trials even begin, it'd be Biles.

Aly Raisman

Raisman shines brightest on the leg-centric events—vault, beam, and floor. She is a poised powerhouse and puts on a show—especially on floor—with her unique, sky-high tumbling passes. She also perfoms the much-needed Amanar on vault.

Laurie Hernandez

Hernandez is the breakout star of 2016 who proved that, as a new senior, she can handle the pressure of a big stage and perform with finesse and style. One of her best events is beam, but she also has a recently upgraded bar set and one of the most expressive floor routines in the field. Plus, her facials are always on point.

Gabby Douglas

After not having a stellar performance at P&G Championships, reigning Olympic champion Gabby Douglas will look to channel her competitive spark and prove she's ready to return to Olympic competition. She's known to peak at just the right time, and has been pacing herself carefully. Douglas' biggest asset to the team would be her bar routine, but the big question is: Will she come out with an Amanar on vault?

Maggie Nichols

Speaking of the Amanar… After knee surgery in April of this year, Maggie Nichols returned to competition for the first time since the American Cup and wasn’t quite the Maggie everyone remembered. She competed bars and beam and fought through some struggles. However, she made a big impact for the team on vault in 2015, so if we see a stunning Amanar back in action, she could do it again.

Madison Kocian

As one of the bar stars, Kocian has continued to prove herself as a world-class swinger time and time again. She is the reigning world champion, boasts the highest difficulty score on Team USA, and, to Martha Karolyi's liking, is able to perform all-around.

Ashton Locklear

Locklear is the other swinger in the battle of the bar specialists. Although Kocian's difficulty is slightly higher, Locklear is second to none on execution and won the 2016 national bar title. So... who to choose? Luckily, you can't go wrong.

MyKayla Skinner

Skinner stands out on vault and floor where she throws big, difficult skills. Although she often lacks precision in execution, she performs the same two vaults as Biles and is one of only two U.S. women—the other being Biles—with two different vaults, which you need to be in contention for a vault medal at the Olympics.

Ragan Smith

Smith is a tiny but mighty competitor who excels on beam and floor. She boasts a 6.4 D-score on beam and is generally solid as a rock. Despite difficulty on floor and bars at P&G Championships, she’s a tenacious little fighter and definitely one to watch in the Rio race, even if it's for an alternate spot.

Amelia Hundley

Hundley is a solid all-around competitor who has proven consistency and reliability on every event, especially at P&G Championships, where she finished sixth. She’s also in the hunt for an alternate spot.

Christina Desiderio

Desiderio is a new senior this year and her best events are beam and floor. She shows big tumbling passes such as a double twisting double back and her beam routine is notably fierce. She doesn't have any international experience and is not a top contender, but this will be a great experience. Fun fact: Her club Parkettes has had a gymnast at every U.S. Olympic Trials since 1976, so she is continuing the 40-year tradition.

Brenna Dowell

Dowell is a standout on bars with very difficult combinations, and when she attacks her routines with confidence, she is unstoppable. Dowell has lacked the element of consistency under pressure in the past, but has tons of potential on every event.

Rachel Gowey

Gowey’s standout event is bars where she has gorgeous form and clean lines. She also is lovely to watch on beam and proved she can put up a strong all-around score as well.

Emily Shild

Schild shines on bars, where she is capable of a 6.4 D-score and also has a gorgeous Yurchenko double. Although she has not competed it yet, she has the ability to do an Amanar on vault, and there’s a chance she will bring it out for all the marbles in San Jose.


Now... it's almost showtime!


Related:
The Last Step: Olympic Trials Preview