Six-time world championship medalist Serie Jones will not compete in this weekend’s U.S. championships, she announced ahead of Friday’s meet in Fort Worth, Texas.
Jones is one of a handful of gymnasts vying for a spot on the U.S. Olympic team in Paris this summer. Two weeks ago at the Core Hydration Classic, Jones placed second in the all-around and won the uneven bars, solidifying her status as the strongest gymnast on the U.S. team behind Simone Biles.
During a training session in Fort Worth on Wednesday, Jones told reporters he is suffering from a shoulder injury that was aggravated after competing in the Core Hydration Classic.
“Unfortunately, I will not be competing in this year’s Xfinity Championship,” Jones said in a statement on Friday. “With Paris being my main focus, it is best for me to prioritize recovery and resting my shoulder this weekend.”
She added, “My medical team and I are confident that this is the right decision to ensure I am fully fit for the Trials, and I look forward to cheering on my fellow athletes and teammates this weekend.”
The gymnasts who will represent the United States in Paris will be chosen at this summer’s Olympic Trials, scheduled to take place June 27-30 in Minneapolis.
The U.S. Championships is an official qualifying event for the U.S. Olympic Trials, but the selection process allows athletes to apply to compete if they have an injury or other extenuating circumstances.
Jones said she plans to petition USA Gymnastics to qualify for the Olympic Trials. If the petition is approved, the top two gymnasts in the all-around at the U.S. championships will automatically qualify for the Olympic Trials. The remaining gymnasts on the Olympic Trials will be decided by a selection committee after the second day of competition on Sunday.
The Xfinity USA Gymnastics Championships will air live on NBC and Peacock from 8:00-10:00 p.m. ET Friday and 7:00-9:00 p.m. ET Sunday. It will also stream on NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app. (Comcast, parent company of NBC News and NBCUniversal, operates Peacock and NBC Sports.)