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Elena Colas became France’s senior national champion this week, also winning the bars and floor titles (full results). This is a wholly expected but still thrilling development, as the first-year senior is quickly becoming a force to be reckoned with on the world stage.
Her 54.250 at nationals falls short of challenging the top all-around scores internationally, but we know she’s capable of more — she scored a 56.550 at a competition earlier this year. It’s difficult to compare performances when we haven’t had much in the way of international competition yet this season, so we’ll have to wait until Euros in August to really see if those scores hold up.
She also has a very competitive bar routine, which is gorgeous and worlds finals-worthy. Here is the routine that won her the national title with a 14.750:
On floor, she opened with a piked full-in, honestly one of my favorite (and, in my opinion, one of the most heavily underutilized) skills, for a 13.700:
I’m rooting for this one.
Maïana Prat is no bridesmaid, though: she came in second with a 53.350 in the all-around, and won beam with this beautiful routine (13.850):
Like Colas, Prat is a first-year senior. Hopefully, we’ll see them lead the French team for years to come.
Speaking of veterans, Mélanie De Jesus Dos Santos made her triumphant return here. She did an exhibition floor routine for a 13.350, an incredible feat after all that she’s been through these past few years.
Sidenote: Colas announced that she will continue to compete for France as her controversial coaches decide whether they’ll stay in the country.
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Pan Ams preview
The Pan American Championships begin this week in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and I’ve got great news for you: the competition will be streamed live on YouTube.
Here is the full schedule (all times GMT-3):
Monday, June 15— Podium training. I doubt we’ll get a live stream, but there will likely be photos and clips on the socials.
Wednesday, June 17 — Qualifications. This part of the competition will determine team rankings as well as worlds qualifications. It will be held in a 5-4-3 format, and the top five teams and top 13 all-arounders will earn worlds spots.
Check out the full draw if you like. Here is the quals schedule for the major teams, noting their first apparatus:
Subdivision 1 (8:15 a.m.): USA (vault), Canada (beam), Argentina (floor)
Subdivision 2 (1:15 p.m.): Panama (vault)
Subdivision 3 (5:45 p.m.): Colombia (vault), Brazil (bars), Mexico (beam)
Friday, June 19 (9 a.m.) — All-around finals
Sunday, June 21 — Event finals
Vault 10:10 a.m.
Bars 10:45 a.m.
Beam 11:50 a.m.
Floor 12:30 p.m.
The U.S. is expected to do very well here, with Hezly Rivera leading the way in the all-around, followed by Claire Pease. Along with Charleigh Bullock, they all have event finals medal potential, though the big question mark here is what vault Pease will bring — will she break out the Cheng when it matters not?
Rebeca Andrade will also make her much anticipated return, but only on vault.
USA Gymnastics shared photos of the team in training, though they’re in black and white and artsy. Not my style, but sure:
Rosters
The full list of athletes is, as far as I’m aware, unavailable. Here’s what we do have:
More news
In worlds qualification news, World Gymnastics decided that any country that doesn’t qualify anyone to worlds can have a spot based on all-around placement at continentals. There will be two additional quota spaces from Pan Ams for this purpose. This is an excellent development that will hopefully increase diversity at worlds.
Skye Blakely will do bars and beam at U.S. Classic.
Jeff Graba is the new executive director of the Women’s Collegiate Gymnastics Association (WCGA). Graba was the Auburn head coach for 16 seasons.
Simone Biles revealed on Instagram that she had a major health scare this week. She posted an image of her arm with a hospital bracelet and wrote, “almost dying wasn’t on my bingo card earlier this week.” Whatever happened, all the best to Simone, and we hope she feels back to normal soon.
Shilese Jones shared a video of her connecting an arabian to a split jump on beam. Come back, please!
Five at the IX
Jordan Chiles was named a TIME100 Sports honoree. She chatted with TIME about the impact of the all-Black podium at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
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