Jade Carey will replace Simone Biles in the individual all-around after Biles withdrew from the event, citing her mental health.
The 21-year-old was initially shut out of the all-around competition after qualifying behind teammates Biles and Suni Lee. The International Gymnastics Federation rules stipulate that a country can send two gymnasts maximum to the finals. Finishing in ninth, Carey would’ve made the all-around event if it weren’t for the two gymnasts-per-country rule.
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jade Carey (@jadecareyy)
A post shared by Jade Carey (@jadecareyy)
Carey specializes on the vault and floor, qualifying second behind Biles on vault with a score of 15.166.
Carey is also known to perform the hardest tumbling pass ever executed by a woman. If she lands the layout triple-double successfully in the all-around competition, it will be named after her.
The Phoenix-native earned her Olympic berth through medaling at the World Cup series. The process secured her an individual spot on the Tokyo roster, meaning she did not participate with the U.S. in Tuesday’s team event.
Carey will compete alongside Lee in Thursday’s individual all-around in hopes of capturing her first Olympic medal.