Fan reaction to McClain, Jones and Chiles making history at 2022 gymnastics championships – NBC10 Philadelphia
American gymnastics superstar Connor McClain doggedly captured the 2022 USA all-around title at this year’s USA Gymnastics Championships in Tampa, Florida.
But that’s not all. Elite gymnasts Shylise Jones and Jordan Chiles stood alongside McClain on the podium this weekend, officially making history as the first three black women to step onto the podium.
“It’s so unreal,” McClain said in an interview NBC Sports. “I’m still in a bit of shock.”
This summer, the gymnast bounced back from two bouts of stress – a concussion, the flu and the loss of her father in December.
“I wish I could talk to my father right now,” McClain added.
These girls follow in the footsteps of some greats we didn’t see at this year’s pageant, including Gabby Douglas, Simone Biles and Suni Lee.
Gabby Douglas, who retired in 2016, was the first African-American woman to become an Olympic individual all-around champion and the first American gymnast to win gold in both the individual all-around and team events at the same Olympics in in 2012.
Simone Biles, who has 25 world titles, won seven all-around championships and tied Shannon Miller for the most Olympic medals won by American gymnasts.
Suni Lee became the gold medalist of the 2020 Olympics in the all-around in Tokyo.
It’s safe to say the competition is fierce, and here’s how fans reacted:
McClain is now one of the top contenders to represent the United States at the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
We’ll next see McClain, Jones and Chiles at the 2022 World Gymnastics Championships in Liverpool, England. This contest will begin on October 29.
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