Olympians Highlight Return at Xfinity U.S. Gymnastics Championships

The Xfinity U.S. Gymnastics Championships commence this week in Phoenix, headlined by a roster of Olympic medalists making their returns to elite competition. The event serves as a critical benchmark for gymnasts aiming for spots on the U.S. team for the World Championships in Rotterdam this October.

Two-time Olympic gold medalist Jade Carey leads the field in her hometown. Competing for the first time since helping the U.S. secure team gold in Paris, Carey is positioning herself for a potential run at the 2028 Los Angeles Games. She has expressed interest in concluding her career with a home Olympics performance. Alongside Carey, Hezly Rivera is looking to regain momentum after winning the 2025 U.S. all-around title as a 16-year-old. Rivera missed the 2025 World Championships due to an ankle injury but remains a key contender.

The competition also marks a significant comeback for Skye Blakely. The 2024 U.S. all-around runner-up is set to compete in the elite all-around for the first time since rupturing an Achilles tendon just before the 2024 Olympic Trials. After limiting her events to balance beam and uneven bars in 2025, Blakely described her return as a measured process focused on long-term health. Additionally, 2025 World all-around silver medalist Leanne Wong is competing after recovering from a wrist issue that affected her performance at the recent U.S. Classic.

The event is being broadcast across NBC Sports and Peacock, platforms owned by Comcast Corporation. As of the latest market check, Comcast shares are trading up 2.68% at $24.56, giving the media and technology giant a market capitalization of approximately $80.9 billion.

Emerging talent will also be on display, including Reese Esponda, the U.S. Classic all-around winner who now trains at the Biles family gym in Texas. Selection for the five-woman World Championships team will ultimately be decided at a selection camp in early autumn, though performances at nationals will weigh heavily on the decision.

What to watch

• Blakely’s full all-around return following her Achilles injury.
• Selection committee decisions for the Rotterdam World Championships team.
• Viewership metrics for the broadcast on NBC Sports and Peacock.

Source: original release