Current:Home > FinanceSuni Lee, Olympic gymnastics champion, competing at Winter Cup. Here's how to watch. -Capitatum
Suni Lee, Olympic gymnastics champion, competing at Winter Cup. Here's how to watch.
Charles H. Sloan View
Date:2025-04-06 07:17:24
Just call Winter Cup the Suni Show.
Sunisa Lee was always going to be in the spotlight at Saturday's meet. It's her first since she had to skip the world team selection camp last fall because of a kidney issue that limited her training, and she's debuting a skill on uneven bars no one's ever done. But now that Gabby Douglas isn't making her return to competition for the first time since 2016 — she withdrew Thursday because of COVID — all of the focus will be on Lee, the reigning Olympic champion.
"I'm doing really good," Lee said, beaming, after training Friday. "I'm just so happy to be here."
Lee is only doing bars and balance beam at Winter Cup, but she's definitely the one to watch. Here’s everything you need to know:
When is Winter Cup? And where is it?
The senior women’s meet is from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday at the Kentucky International Convention Center in Louisville, Kentucky. There’s also a senior men’s meet that runs over two days. Day 1 is from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Friday and Day 2 is from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Sunday.
Where can I watch the USA Gymnastics Winter Cup?
You’re going to need your computer. Or your phone. Winter Cup is only available on USA Gymnastics’ YouTube channel.
Who is competing at the Winter Cup?
Lee is the main attraction.
She had to cut her final season at Auburn short because of the kidney ailment and it disrupted her elite-level training, too. Longtime coach Jess Graba said last summer that whether Lee could train often depended on how she was reacting to the medication that day.
But Lee said she's now in remission and has been able to train more consistently.
"She's happy, she's doing what she wants to do. She's healthy. Those are the main things," Graba said Friday. "This makes her feel better, doing things like this and training, getting skills named (for her). Those are fun things for her."
Other notable names include Skye Blakely, a member of the U.S. teams that won the last two world championships; and Kayla DiCello and Kaliya Lincoln, each of whom were double gold medalists at the Pan American Games last fall. The Americans won the team title, and DiCello also claimed the all-around gold while Lincoln won floor exercise.
Reigning junior champion Hezly Rivera is making her senior debut at Winter Cup. Also, Trinity Thomas, a standout at Florida, is returning to the elite level for the first time since 2019.
Is Simone Biles competing at the Winter Cup?
Simone Biles won’t be competing at Winter Cup.
She’s already qualified for the national championships as a member of last year’s world team — Winter Cup is a qualifier for nationals — and she doesn’t usually begin her competitive season this early. Look for her at the U.S. Classic, which is May 18 in Hartford, Connecticut.
What’s after Winter Cup?
There will be national team training camps each month and some gymnasts will get assignments to international meets. Then things start getting real at the U.S. Classic, where almost all of the women seeking a spot on the Paris Olympics team will compete.
The national championships are May 30 to June 2 in Fort Worth. At least 12 gymnasts will advance from there to the Olympic trials, which are June 27-30 in Minneapolis. The top finisher in the all-around automatically qualifies for the five-woman Paris team, and a committee will select the remaining four athletes and alternates.
Then it’s on to Paris!
veryGood! (9)
Related
- Immigration issues sorted, Guatemala runner Luis Grijalva can now focus solely on sports
- Did Miss USA Noelia Voigt's resignation statement contain a hidden message?
- 3 things we learned from Disney's latest earnings report
- Former GOP Senate candidate challenges House Republican who voted to impeach Trump
- US appeals court rejects Nasdaq’s diversity rules for company boards
- New York City jail guard suffers burns from body camera igniting
- Get Your Buzzers Ready and Watch America's Got Talent's Jaw-Dropping Season 19 Trailer
- How Kim Kardashian and Lana Del Rey Became Unexpected Duo While Bonding at 2024 Met Gala
- Meta releases AI model to enhance Metaverse experience
- Why Hunter Schafer Is Proof Kim Kardashian's Met Gala Sweater Was Not a Wardrobe Malfunction
Ranking
- Which apps offer encrypted messaging? How to switch and what to know after feds’ warning
- Why Kim Kardashian Needed Custom Thong Underwear for Her 2024 Met Gala Look
- Kim Kardashian’s Daughter North West Lands Role in Special Lion King Show
- Former Las Vegas casino executive to be sentenced in bookmaking money laundering case
- Will the 'Yellowstone' finale be the last episode? What we know about Season 6, spinoffs
- Boy Scouts of America announces name change to Scouting America, in effect next year
- Hilary Duff welcomes fourth child with husband Matthew Koma, shares candid photos
- Tori Spelling Reveals She Welded Homemade Sex Toy for Dean McDermott
Recommendation
Olympic men's basketball bracket: Results of the 5x5 tournament
3 things we learned from Disney's latest earnings report
Keep Up With Kendall Jenner's 2 Jaw-Dropping Met Gala After-Party Looks
Texas mother sent text to ex-husband saying, 'Say goodbye to your son' before killing boy
'No Good Deed': Who's the killer in the Netflix comedy? And will there be a Season 2?
Keep Up With Kendall Jenner's 2 Jaw-Dropping Met Gala After-Party Looks
US’s largest public utility ignores warnings in moving forward with new natural gas plant
How to Grow Long, Strong Natural Nails At Home, According To A Nail Artist