The U.S. women’s team at the Paris 2024 Olympics was a great snapshot of what modern elite gymnastics looks like: a mix of experienced veterans and a younger rising star. USA Gymnastics officially named Simone Biles, Sunisa Lee, Jordan Chiles, Jade Carey, and Hezly Rivera to the Olympic team after Trials.
The team included gymnasts in their 20s as well as a 16-year-old competing at her first Olympics. Their ages show how gymnastics has changed. Today, reaching the Olympic level is less about being the youngest and more about steady progress over many years.
Ages in Paris 2024: the full team at a glance
To keep this consistent, the ages below are as of July 30, 2024 (the Women’s Team Final date in Paris).
| Gymnast | Birthdate | Age (July 30, 2024) |
|---|---|---|
| Simone Biles | March 14, 1997 | 27 |
| Jade Carey | May 27, 2000 | 24 |
| Jordan Chiles | April 15, 2001 | 23 |
| Sunisa Lee | March 9, 2003 | 21 |
| Hezly Rivera | June 4, 2008 | 16 |
USA Gymnastics also noted that Rivera was 16 years and 26 days old at the time of team selection, meeting the international minimum age requirement while still being the youngest athlete on the roster.
When did they start training?
Here’s the important parent takeaway before we go athlete-by-athlete:
Most Olympic gymnasts start gymnastics “young,” but that doesn’t mean they start elite training young.
Early years are usually about learning basics (shapes, strength, flexibility, body control), then training ramps up gradually over many seasons.
Simone Biles: Started Around Age 6
Simone Biles was introduced to gymnastics at around age 6 after a daycare field trip to a local gym. Coaches noticed her natural power and coordination and encouraged her family to enroll her in classes.
What matters most in Simone’s story is how long her development lasted. She didn’t rush difficulty as a child. Instead, she built a foundation over many years, entered elite training in her early teens, and went on to deliver some of the greatest performances in gymnastics history well into her late 20s. Her career has redefined what longevity looks like in women’s gymnastics.
Sunisa Lee: Began Formal Training at Age 6
Sunisa “Suni” Lee began formal gymnastics training at age 6, after her family noticed her natural strength and flexibility at home. She trained at Midwest Gymnastics Center in Minnesota, where her early years focused on clean basics and steady progress.
Suni’s path also included injuries, health challenges, and setbacks but her biggest competitive breakthroughs came as a young adult, not as a child. Her story reinforces that early talent doesn’t require early peak performance.
Jordan Chiles: Started at Age 6
Jordan Chiles began gymnastics at age 6, after her mother noticed her athletic energy and enrolled her in classes.
Jordan’s career stands out because it wasn’t linear. She changed training environments, rebuilt confidence, and continued improving into her late teens and early 20s. Her rise to Olympic success shows that gymnastics careers don’t have to follow a rigid timeline to reach the top.
Jade Carey: Involved in Gymnastics as Early as Age 2
Jade Carey was involved in gymnastics as early as age 2, largely because her family owned a gymnastics gym. At that stage, “gymnastics” meant playful exposure, rolling, swinging, climbing, and becoming comfortable in the gym, not structured training or elite pressure.
As Jade grew older, her training progressed deliberately and strategically. Her career is a strong example of how early exposure doesn’t have to lead to burnout, and how pacing difficulty can support long-term success at the highest level.
Hezly Rivera: Started at Age 5 After a Birthday Party
Hezly Rivera began gymnastics at age 5 after attending a friend’s birthday party at a gymnastics facility. Like most young gymnasts, her early training centered on basic skills, coordination, and enjoying the sport.
What makes Hezly’s story stand out is how quickly she progressed without skipping steps. Even as a “fast riser,” she still spent more than a decade developing before reaching the Olympic stage, proof that elite success still requires long-term consistency.
When Do U.S. Olympic Gymnasts Usually Start Training?
While every journey is unique, most U.S. Olympians follow a similar early-but-gradual path:
- Ages 3–5: Parent-and-tot or preschool classes focused on movement and fun
- Ages 5–7: Recreational gymnastics and foundational skills
- Ages 7–9: Pre-team or developmental programs with more structure
- Ages 10–12: Increased training hours and competitive focus
- Ages 13–15: Higher difficulty, national-level meets, junior elite (for some)
- Age 16+: Senior eligibility under international rules and Olympic pathways
The pattern is clear: gymnasts start young, but elite training comes much later. The athletes competing in Paris spent 10–15+ years building skills, strength, and resilience. reaching that level.
What this means for parents and young gymnasts
For families wondering when and how a gymnast reaches the Olympics, Paris 2024 delivers a reassuring message:
- Most Olympians start gymnastics between ages 4 and 7, usually in fun, low-pressure classes
- Very few train elite hours at extremely young ages
- Reaching the Olympics typically takes 10–15+ years
- Long-term health, consistency, and motivation matter more than early peaks
Bottom line: Olympic gymnastics is a marathon, not a sprint. Starting young can help, but staying healthy, supported, and patient over many years is what truly gets athletes to the Games.
