Suni Lee, Jade Carey Lead US Gymnastics LA28 Comebacks: A Resurgence of Passion and Depth

The 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles are just two years away, and the US women's gymnastics team is undergoing a significant transformation. A group of veterans, who had previously called it quits or taken a hiatus from the sport, are returning to the team, injecting new life and depth into the squad. Suni Lee, a bronze medalist at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, has announced her return, while Jade Carey, a world championship gold medalist, is back on the scene after a brief break. Katelyn Ohashi, a two-time national champion, and Skye Blakely, a two-time national champion, are also rejoining the team. The news of their returns has sent shockwaves of excitement throughout the gymnastics community, and fans are eagerly anticipating the impact these veterans will have on the team's performance at the LA28 Olympics.

The reunion of these veterans marks a new chapter in the history of US women's gymnastics. For years, the team has struggled to find consistency and depth, relying on a handful of talented young athletes to carry the load. However, with the return of these experienced gymnasts, the team is now boasting a talented and dynamic roster. "It creates depth on our team," said Betty Okino, a Barcelona 1992 bronze medalist and now the developmental lead for the US women's program. "Before the comebacks, it was like we were going to have to scrape to create a team for 2028. Now, we have good depth to select from."

The LA28 Olympics will be a home Games for the US team, and the excitement and energy surrounding the event are palpable. However, Okino is quick to point out that the home Games is not the sole reason for the team's resurgence. "The home Games is part of the inspiration," she said, "but again, if the drive inside isn't something beyond that, it's hard to do." The team's passion and dedication will be the key factors in determining their success at the Olympics, rather than simply being inspired by the home crowd.

Amanda Borden, a member of the 1996 Olympic gold medal team, weighed in on the team's return, stating that the home Games lit a fire within her when she competed in Atlanta in 1996. "It lit a fire and reminded me personally why I even started gymnastics," she said. "I never did gymnastics to be in [the Olympics]. I did gymnastics because I loved it. And that was my secret sauce going into '96."

Simone Biles, a seven-time Olympic champion and 23-time world championship gold medalist, has also not ruled out a return to the team ahead of the LA28 Olympics. The news of her potential comeback has sent shockwaves of excitement throughout the gymnastics community, and fans are eagerly anticipating her decision. "For these athletes that have already accomplished so much... you have to figure out what's your why," Miller said. "Is it the Olympics? Is it the medals? Or is it something deeper?"

Shilese Jones, a two-time world all-around medalist, is also weighing her options, teasing a potential return to the team on Instagram. Meanwhile, Katelyn Ohashi is training under Cale Robinson at Pacific Reign in Seattle and reunited with her old UCLA coach Valorie Kondos Field for her floor choreography.

The team's renewed passion and depth are not only a boost to their performance but also a positive influence on the younger athletes. "I think we're doing something right in the program," Okino said. "Ohashi, who is now 29, wants to come back to a sport she left because she felt hurt by it. She feels welcomed by it and happy on this stage, and it says that we're doing something right."

Jade Carey has the conversation with Lee, the two of them circling the same idea. "It's really exciting to have a lot of us coming back," she said. "I think we both kind of have a similar mindset of just like we still know that we have more in us. And why not, as long as we love gymnastics and can still do it."

The team's veterans are changing the math for everyone around them. "They're not at the top now anymore," Okino said. "They have to climb a little bit more... and I think that's just going to raise the level." Skye Blakely, back in the all-around in Phoenix after her own comeback from injury, counts herself among the older group now and finds the wave in front of her steadying. "It's really encouraging to see Jade, Katelyn, and Leanne [Wong], all three people who are older than me, pave that path," she said. "To see that it's possible no matter the age. If you set your mind to it, you can do it."