8 times US gymnasts overcame pain to shine at Olympics: From Simone Biles’ trauma to Jordan Chiles’ grief

8 tales of struggle and hardship of Team USA gymnasts on their path to Olympic glory

The 2024 Paris Olympics saw the US gymnastics teams — both women’s and men’s — achieve remarkable success, with the women’s team securing gold and the men’s team earning bronze in the all-around team finals. Their triumphs, however, were hard-fought, marked by personal challenges that tested their resilience and determination. For many of these athletes, their journey to the podium was paved with intense adversity, ranging from physical injuries and illnesses to deep emotional and psychological battles. Let us delve into the personal stories of the athletes who represented Team USA, exploring the obstacles they overcame on their path to Olympic glory.

1. Simone Biles: Overcoming trauma to shine again

Simone Biles, the most decorated gymnast in US history, faced one of the darkest periods of her life as she continued to compete at the highest level. Biles, along with fellow gymnasts Aly Raisman and McKayla Maroney, was a victim of abuse by former coach Larry Nassar. Despite the trauma, Biles refused to let this experience define her. "After hearing the stories of my brave friends and other survivors, I know that this horrific experience does not define me," she posted to X. "...I love this sport too much and...I won't let one man, and the others that enabled him, to steal my love and joy." Her ordeal affected her performance at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where she withdrew mid-competition to focus on her mental health. Reflecting on her experience, she told the 'Call Her Daddy' podcast, "It just felt very...dehumanizing. I held a lot of guilt that wasn't mine to hold." Biles testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee in 2021, determined to prevent others from enduring similar horrors. "I don't want another young gymnast, or Olympic athlete, or any individual to experience the horror that I and hundreds of others have endured before," she told the committee, as quoted by NBC News. Despite these challenges, Biles returned to the 2024 Paris Olympics and added to her already impressive medal count, proving once again her extraordinary strength and resilience.

2. Jade Carey: Battling illness in the spotlight

Jade Carey’s journey at the 2024 Paris Olympics was marred by unexpected health issues that nearly derailed her performance. During her opening qualifying floor routine, Carey made several uncharacteristic errors, stepping out of bounds and even falling, which ultimately cost her a medal. The reason behind her struggles was more profound than a lapse in skill; Carey was battling a debilitating illness. "I just have not been feeling well the past few days and haven't been able to eat or anything," she told Olympics.com later. "I had, like, no energy today and didn't really have a sense of what was going on in my head. So, I just kind of wanted people to know that so, they know that there's actually something wrong." Despite the setback, Carey displayed incredible perseverance, competing alongside her teammates and contributing to their all-around gold medal victory. She later reassured her fans, saying, "I gave it everything I had ... Thank you for all the support I have received. I'm so grateful."

3. Jordan Chiles: Overcoming grief

Jordan Chiles’ path to the 2024 Paris Olympics was fraught with personal loss and professional challenges. In 2023, Chiles lost two close family members: her aunt Crystal Oliver and her grandfather Gene Velasquez. "They always believed in me before they passed, that if I could do [one Olympics], I could do another," Chiles shared with AP. These tragedies compounded the emotional strain she had already endured after her mother was sent to prison following her first Olympic appearance in 2021. Despite these hardships, Chiles pushed forward, motivated by the belief her loved ones had in her abilities. She faced setbacks in her athletic career as well, including missing the cut for the world championship team in 2022 and dealing with injuries that kept her out of key events. Nevertheless, Chiles’ determination paid off as she returned to the Olympics, winning an all-around gold medal with her team. She honored her late grandfather with a tattoo on her left arm, reading, "Where you are, I have been. Where I am, you will be." She told AP, "I did dedicate my life to this. I did sacrifice a lot of things for myself. I did do all these things. And at the end of the day, when it's finally done over with, I can finally I can look at myself in the mirror and be like, 'You did everything that you said you (would).'"

4. Sunisa Lee: Confronting rare health condition

Sunisa 'Suni' Lee, who made headlines with her gold medal performance at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, faced a significant health scare that almost ended her gymnastics career. In 2023, Lee announced that she was stepping away from her collegiate gymnastics career at Auburn University to address a serious kidney issue. "For my safety, the [university] medical team did not clear me to train and compete over the last few weeks," she shared on X in 2023. "... My focus at this time is my health and recovery. It's been challenging to end my Auburn career early, but I am thankful for all the love [and] support." The diagnosis of a rare kidney disease posed a considerable challenge, but Lee refused to let it deter her. She returned to elite training and secured her place at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she won both a team gold and an individual bronze medal. Reflecting on her journey, Lee told SELF, "We didn't think that I would be here. We didn't know what was possible. We didn't know what was wrong with me. And here I am on the big stage, competing."

5. Asher Hong: Getting up after a critical fall

Asher Hong’s road to the 2024 Paris Olympics was nearly cut short by a critical fall during the US Olympic Trials. After a slip during his routine, Hong had to quickly reset and refocus to avoid letting the mistake affect the rest of his performance. "[I just told myself] reset and forget about the fall," he shared with NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth. "In the collegiate space, you don't want to fall a second time for your team. So, I was just saying reset, finish the routine small, and move on to rings. I didn't want to let it affect my last event, and I wanted to use that anger and frustration on rings, and I did so. I am proud of that." Hong’s ability to rebound from this setback was crucial, as he went on to secure his spot on the Olympic team. This was not his first experience with a high-stakes error; in 2023, a fall on the pommel horse at the World Artistic Gymnastics Championship cost him a place among the top competitors. However, Hong’s perseverance paid off, and he played a key role in helping the US men’s gymnastics team win their first Olympic medal in nearly two decades, a bronze in the all-around competition. "I mean, it feels unreal," Hong said after the win, reflecting on the journey that led him to the podium. "Just the whole journey that I've been through to come to this moment and to finally win an Olympic medal for my country and represent them, it feels amazing."

6. Paul Juda: Recovering from painful injury

Paul Juda’s Olympic dreams were nearly shattered by a severe knee injury that sidelined him for an extended period. The injury occurred during warm-ups at a competition, leading to months of rehabilitation and uncertainty about his future in the sport. Despite the setback, Juda remained determined to return to full strength. "You know, you think you're all good with the injuries and you're excited to get back after being sidelined for so many months, and it just hits ya," Juda told Inside Gymnastics Magazine. "That's gymnastics!" He used the time off to refine his skills on various apparatuses, ensuring he was well-prepared when he returned to competition. "It kind of forced me to look at the areas in my gymnastics that I wasn't giving as much attention to," he told the outlet. "I was really able to get more done on parallel bars, pommel horse and high bar ... It took a hefty chunk of time but when it was right, it felt right, and I didn't want to rush it by any means!" Juda’s hard work paid off, as he joined his teammates in winning a bronze medal in the all-around team event at the 2024 Paris Olympics. 

7. Brody Malone: A classic comeback story

Brody Malone’s journey to the 2024 Paris Olympics was interrupted by a series of injuries that required multiple surgeries and a full year of recovery. The injuries, which included damage to his knee and leg, were so severe that Malone doubted whether he would be able to return to competition. "I felt my knee go out, just like a lot of pressure, and kind of like a bang," he told NBC, as quoted by Today. "It was catastrophic ... I was like, 'I don't know if I'm going to be able to make a comeback.'" However, Malone’s determination to return to the sport he loves kept him focused during his rehabilitation. He adjusted his training to accommodate his recovery, opting for less risky routines to protect his body. "My approach on floor and vault is looking a little bit different," he shared with Team USA. "I'm not trying to get as much difficulty on those events. I'm trying to just do a little bit easier routine and just hit and be clean. It just feels amazing with everything I've gone through to make a comeback like I have." Malone’s return was nothing short of remarkable, as he played a pivotal role in helping the US men’s gymnastics team secure a bronze medal in the all-around competition. "You got to have confidence in yourself that you can do it," Malone said, reflecting on his journey back to the Olympic stage. "...I came in with the mindset of, I just need to do my gymnastics and let the scores fall where they do. I'm not coming in thinking, 'Oh gosh, I gotta win this'."

8. Stephen Nedoroscik: Overcoming visual impairment

Stephen Nedoroscik became an overnight sensation during the 2024 Paris Olympics, particularly for his stunning pommel horse routine that contributed to the US men’s team’s bronze medal. However, Nedoroscik’s journey was complicated by a visual condition known as strabismus, which causes his eyes to not align properly. "Basically, I'm cross-sighted and I can switch my dominant eye on command with both eyes open," he explained. Despite this challenge, Nedoroscik’s condition ironically aids his gymnastics performance. "When I go up on the pommel horse, it's all about feeling the equipment," he told Today. Additionally, he revealed that he has coloboma, a condition that makes him sensitive to light. "I don't even really see when I'm doing my gymnastics. It's all in the hands — I can feel everything," he added. Despite these visual impairments, Nedoroscik has embraced his uniqueness, even turning his sports goggles into a signature look. "They are simply for fun, kind of my trademark. I like to have fun out there," he remarked to WPSU.