The United States women’s gymnastics team will enter the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Rotterdam, Netherlands, on Sunday with one of its youngest and least experienced rosters in recent years. The team aims to extend its streak to eight consecutive world team titles amid considerable focus on the emerging generation of American gymnasts.
The 2026 U.S. lineup features 21-year-old Skye Blakely, making her fourth world championships appearance after contributing to team gold medals in 2022 and 2023. Hezly Rivera, the 18-year-old 2024 Olympic all-around gold medalist, was originally scheduled to compete but withdrew Saturday due to a left ankle injury. Rivera’s place was filled by alternate Dulcy Caylor, also 18, who previously competed at the 2025 world championships.
The remaining members—Claire Pease, 17; Charleigh Bullock, 16; and Reese Esponda, 17—are all making their world championship debuts. With several veteran American gymnasts absent, including Simone Biles, who has not competed since the 2024 Paris Olympics, the competition serves as a significant opportunity for the newcomers to establish themselves on the global stage.
Biles, 29, has not announced a definitive decision about competing in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. In a September interview, she expressed uncertainty but indicated she had not ruled out a return. Since Paris, where she won team, all-around, and vault gold, alongside silver on floor exercise, Biles has participated in a post-Olympic tour and focused on personal pursuits, including supporting her husband, NFL player Jonathan Owens.
Other top American gymnasts also took time off after the Paris Games. Jordan Chiles briefly competed on “Dancing With the Stars” before resuming gymnastics at UCLA, Jade Carey completed her NCAA career at Oregon State before returning to elite competition, and Suni Lee has not yet returned. However, all three have begun preparing to resume competition with an eye on the 2028 Olympics. Brazil’s Rebeca Andrade, who won silver in the all-around behind Biles and gold on floor in Paris, also plans to compete in Rotterdam as part of her own comeback.
With the Olympics now less than two years away, Biles faces important decisions about her future in a sport that traditionally favors younger athletes but has seen competitors remain at the elite level into their late twenties and early thirties. Biles has cited considerations about her long-term health and family planning as factors in her deliberations.
Meanwhile, the U.S. newcomers are stepping into leadership roles. Blakely has emerged as the team’s experienced anchor, while Pease, the recent Pan American all-around and floor champion, and Bullock and Esponda, both Pan American medalists and domestic champions, further bolster the squad.
Looking ahead, a deeper U.S. field is anticipated for the 2027 season, with veterans like Chiles, Lee, Carey, as well as other elite gymnasts such as Leanne Wong and Joscelyn Roberson, expected to rejoin the team. As preparations continue, the central question remains whether Biles will once again don the national colors at the world level and eventually at the home Olympics in Los Angeles.