The biggest shock of the Olympic Games remains Simone Biles leaving the team competition. This morning, we learned she would not compete in the individual All-Around events taking place Thursday in Tokyo either.
The question marks surrounding how her Olympic story will unfold are huge. Will she be able to compete in any of the four individual events that are still to come? Women’s vault and uneven bars are Sunday. Women’s floor exercise is Monday. And women’s balance beam is Tuesday. That’s four medals still at stake.
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Of course, at this point, the medal stand is not the priority for supporters of Biles. They want her to be well... and to do what’s best for her. Even if she doesn’t win another medal, she will NOT lose her title of the greatest gymnast of all time.
While Biles is not competing Thursday, her gym - World Champions Centre in Spring - will be hosting a watch party to cheer on her teammates, Suni Lee and Jade Carey. Carey filled the spot in the All-Around left open by Biles. We may see her attempt a skill rated the most difficult in the Code of Points for both men’s and women’s artistic gymnastics. According to NBC Olympics, “Carey’s name could be attached to the laid-out triple-double, a tumbling skill that is performed on floor and requires the gymnast to flip twice and twist three times while maintaining a completely straight body.”
Again, that’s what is on tap in Tokyo Thursday. Today was the men’s All-Around final which you will see coming up on KPRC 2 in primetime. If you want to know what happened right away, CLICK HERE, and if you want to watch American Sam Mikulak’s performance in the vault, here’s where to watch it right now.
Team USA swimming has been one of the biggest success stories of these Games - with American swimmers securing more than half of the medals the U.S. has won in Tokyo so far.
Live tonight, you’ll see Caeleb Dressel seek his second Tokyo Gold in the 100 Free. After a gold medal performance in the 1500m free, Katie Ledecky will lead the Women’s 4 x 200 Relay alongside four-time gold medalist Allison Schmitt. Of course, they’ll have to contend with Ariarne Titmus and her team again... those Australians have proven they have super swimming speed.
Also in the swimming line up this evening, the women’s 200m butterfly led by Regan Smith and the men’s 800m freestyle and 200m breaststroke. Be sure to also look for Rio Olympics silver medalists Michael Hixon and Andrew Capobianco compete for a medal in the men’s synchronized springboard final.
The Olympics are fun to watch... they’re even more fun to cover. KPRC 2′s Keith Garvin, Christine Noël, and Rose-Ann Aragon have been busy covering the Games and are posting a lot of great pics and videos on social media. Be sure to give them a follow to keep up with our Texas crew in Tokyo!
ADDITIONAL OLYMPIC VIDEOS
Here’s a look ahead to events airing on KPRC 2 on Thursday
*Programming schedule is subject to change.
11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Swimming – Qualifying Heats
Women’s Volleyball – U.S. vs. Turkey
Men’s Water Polo – U.S. vs. Italy
Rowing – Finals
Cycling – BMX Racing Quarterfinals
Slalom Canoeing – Women’s Final
7 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.
Swimming – Finals (LIVE)
Women’s 200m Breaststroke
Men’s 200m Backstroke
Women’s 100m Freestyle
Men’s 200m Individual Medley
Gymnastics – Women’s All-Around
Track & Field – Qualifying Rounds (LIVE)
Women’s 800m
Men’s 400m Hurdles
Women’s 100m
11:05 p.m. – 1 a.m. (Friday)
Track & Field – Qualifying Rounds
Cycling – BMX Racing Finals
For a complete list of events and results anytime, head to Click2Houston.com/Olympics.