The journey from a beginner gymnast to an elite competitor in the U.S. follows a clear, step-by-step progression.
Gymnasts start by building basic skills in programs like the Women’s Development Program (WDP) or the Xcel Program. As they improve, they advance through different levels by learning new routines and earning qualifying scores that mark their progress.
Along the way, gymnasts compete at state, regional, and national championships, with the top athletes reaching the elite level, where they can qualify for international events and, ultimately, the Olympics.
This guide explores each stage of the gymnastics qualification journey, showing how athletes move from their first steps to achieving their Olympic dreams.
Women’s Development Program (WDP)
The Women’s Development Program (WDP, formerly “Junior Olympic”) is a tiered system of levels 1 through 10 that develops gymnasts from basic skills to advanced competition.
- Levels 1–3 are developmental and often non-competitive or in-gym programs focusing on fundamental skills.
- Levels 4–5 are compulsory levels with preset routines and basic skill progressions, typically culminating in State Championships.
- Levels 6–10 are optional levels where gymnasts perform individualized routines meeting difficulty requirements.
Each level has a minimum age (e.g. 7 years for Level 4 and up) and minimum mobility score that must be achieved to advance to the next level.
For example, a gymnast must score at least 34.00 All-Around at Level 4 to move to Level 5, and typically a 32.00 All-Around at Levels 5–7 to progress upward (Level 6 may be skipped if a 32 AA was achieved at Level 5). Higher optional levels require a 34.00 AA to advance (e.g. Level 8→9 and Level 9→10) unless qualifying as an event specialist with a minimum event score (around 8.5).
These score thresholds, set by USA Gymnastics rules, ensure gymnasts have mastered their current level before moving up.
Xcel Program
The USA Gymnastics Xcel Program is an alternative competitive track for girls (and recently expanded to boys in some areas) designed to offer flexibility and broad participation. Instead of numbered levels, Xcel has divisions: Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Diamond, and as of 2023, the new Sapphire division for those beyond Diamond.
All Xcel divisions are optional-level competitions – gymnasts perform personalized routines that meet certain skill requirements for each event rather than compulsory routines. The Xcel program has minimum age requirements (e.g. 5 years for Bronze, 6 for Silver, … 9 for Diamond, 12 for Sapphire).
Progression to the higher divisions (Gold up to Sapphire) requires meeting mobility scores in competition. For instance, to advance from Gold to Platinum a gymnast must score at least 31.00 All-Around at Gold, and similarly 31.00 AA at Platinum to move to Diamond. The jump from Diamond to the new Sapphire division is a higher standard – generally a 34.00 AA at Diamond (or equivalent event specialist score) is required to qualify for Sapphire.
The Xcel pathway has its own local and state meets, and many regions offer Xcel Regional Championships.
State Championships
To participate in State Championships, gymnasts must meet specific qualification standards, which vary based on their competitive level and the state where they compete.
These standards typically involve achieving a minimum All-Around (AA) score at sanctioned competitions during the season. For instance, in Kansas, the qualification requirements are as follows:
- Levels 3, 4, and 5: A minimum AA score of 30.00 is required to qualify for the State Championships.
- Levels 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10: Gymnasts must attain an AA score of at least 32.00 to be eligible.
- Levels 9 and 10 Event Specialists: An individual event score of 9.0 qualifies gymnasts as event specialists for the State Championships.
Regional Championships
Top performers from State Championships qualify for Regional Championships, where gymnasts compete against others from their region.
The United States is divided into several regions, each hosting its own championship event. Qualification criteria for these championships vary by region, level, and sometimes even by division within a level.
Example: Region 7
- Once the state results are in, the RAC finalizes the list of qualifiers, organizes the sessions, and sets the final competition schedule.
- In Region 7, a Level 8 gymnast must achieve a minimum AA score of 35.00 at her State Championships to qualify for Regionals.
The region then aggregates qualifiers from its member states, and each state is assigned a percentage of the available spots. For instance, if Region 7 allocates 100 spots for Level 8, the number each state receives is based on the overall number of gymnasts who met the qualifying score.
National Championships
Gymnasts who qualify from Regionals compete at National Championships, where national rankings and titles are determined. The qualification path differs by program:
Development Program (Levels 1–10):
Gymnasts progress through local, state, and regional competitions. For instance, Level 10 gymnasts aim to qualify for the Junior Olympic (J.O.) Nationals, the highest competition level within this program. Qualification to J.O. Nationals typically requires top placements at Regional Championships.
Elite Program:
Aspiring elite gymnasts must first pass both compulsory and optional qualifiers to attain elite status. Once designated as elite, gymnasts compete in events such as the U.S. Classic, which serves as a qualifier for the U.S. National Championships. Specific qualification scores are set annually; for example, in 2015, senior gymnasts needed to score 54.00 at the U.S. Classic to qualify for Nationals.
At the Nationals, gymnasts compete in both the all-around and individual apparatus finals. Their scores are combined to establish national rankings. The results at National Championships play a significant role in the selection process for international competitions.
Elite Program
The USA Gymnastics Elite Program is designed for athletes aiming to represent the United States in international competitions. It comprises two primary divisions:
- Junior Elite (ages 11–15): Young athletes demonstrating exceptional talent.
- Senior Elite (ages 16+): Advanced gymnasts competing at the highest levels.
Qualification Process
Attaining elite status involves a meticulous qualification process:
Developmental Progression: Gymnasts typically advance through the USAG Development Program’s levels 1–10, honing foundational skills and competitive experience.
Elite Compulsory Program: Aspiring elite gymnasts must first participate in the Elite Compulsory Program, which emphasizes fundamental skills and execution. Achieving a minimum score of 35.00 at designated National Qualifiers is required to progress.
Elite Optional Qualifiers: After passing the compulsory phase, gymnasts must attain specific optional scores at National Qualifiers or selected National Team Training Camps:
- Junior Elite (ages 11–12): Optional qualification score of 48.00.
- Junior Elite (ages 13–14): Optional qualification score of 49.00.
- Senior Elite: Optional qualification score of 50.00.
These scores qualify gymnasts for elite competitions such as the American Classic, U.S. Classic, and Winter Cup.
International Competitions
Elite gymnasts may be selected to represent the U.S. in international events, such as the World Championships and World Cup series. Performances at these competitions can influence Olympic qualification.
Olympic Qualification: The Final Stage
Reaching the Olympics is the pinnacle of a U.S. gymnast’s career, representing years of dedication and progression through a structured qualification system. The final stage of this journey involves securing a spot on the Olympic team through a series of competitions and selection processes.
Securing Team Quotas through World Championships
The United States secures team spots for the Olympics through outstanding performances at key international events:
1. World Championships:
A top-three finish at the World Championships guarantees an Olympic berth for the team. For instance, the U.S. women’s team clinched their spot for the 2024 Paris Olympics by winning gold at the 2022 World Championships in Liverpool, England.
2. Continental Championships:
Competitions like the Pan American Championships offer additional opportunities for teams and individual gymnasts to qualify for the Olympics.
National Championships and Olympic Trials
Once the U.S. has secured its team quota, the focus shifts to selecting individual gymnasts through a series of national events:
1. U.S. National Gymnastics Championships:
This event determines the participants for the U.S. Olympic Trials. Gymnasts must deliver strong performances to advance.
2. U.S. Olympic Trials:
Held prior to the Olympics, the Trials are the decisive competition for Olympic team selection. The top all-around finisher earns an automatic spot, while the remaining team members are chosen by a selection committee based on their performances and potential contributions to the team’s success.
For example, at the 2024 Trials, Simone Biles secured her third Olympic appearance by winning the all-around, with other top performers like Sunisa Lee and Jordan Chiles also earning spots.
While only a few make it to the top, every gymnast who follows this path gains valuable discipline, perseverance, and a deep love for the sport.