Top five greatest USA gymnasts of all-time

Gymnastics is one of the top sports in the USA.

Gymnastics is one of the most popular sports in the United States, with the country’s gymnasts earning multiple podium finishes in the Olympics, World Championships, and other top international competitions. Known for producing some of the greatest artistic gymnasts, their contributions extend beyond the arena.

At the Paris Olympics 2024, Gymnastics was among the top five sports for the nation in terms of medals, with athletes earning 9 medals, including 3 gold, 1 silver, and 5 bronze. Likewise, the USA gymnasts have consistently brought pride to the country with their performances in past editions.

With this, let’s have a look at the five greatest USA gymnasts of all time.

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5. Mary Lou Retton

Mary Lou Retton scripted history by becoming the first USA gymnast to win the women’s all-around title in the Olympics’ history. She accomplished the feat at the Los Angeles Olympics in 1984. During the finals, she achieved perfect 10s on the floor exercise and vault.

Moreover, she won four additional medals at the Summer Olympics, including two silver and two bronze, all of which she earned in the same edition where the USA hosted the prestigious event.

4. Aly Raisman

Aly Raisman is one of USA’s gymnastics stars, known not only for her exploits in gymnastics but also for her fight against abuse. She captained the USA women’s teams during the London and Rio Olympics which won the gold medals. Additionally, she earned an individual floor exercise gold in 2012, two silver in all-around and floor exercise in 2016, and a bronze in the balance beam in 2012.

Raisman was among the athletes who faced sexual abuse by former Team USA Olympic gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar. As a result of the abuse, she was hospitalized with stroke-like symptoms on several occasions. However, when the incident of Nassar’s abuse of young gymnasts came to light, she was one of the gymnasts who gave victim impact statements during his sentencing.

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3. Nastia Liukin

Nastia Liukin is another gymnast regarded as one of the greatest performers of all time. At the Beijing Olympics 2008, she earned five medals – gold in the all-around individual, silver in the team event, uneven bars, and balance beam. Additionally, her career at the World Championships has witnessed her bag four gold and five silver medals.

Although she didn’t qualify for the London Olympics 2012, Liukin attended the quadrennial event as an athlete representative for the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG). She continues to give back to the sport by hosting the annual Nastia Liukin Cup, established in 2010. This competition provides pre-elite gymnasts with a platform to compete on a grand stage.

2. Shannon Miller

Shannon Miller was the most decorated U.S. gymnast at the Olympic Games until Simone Biles surpassed her with her performance at the Paris Olympics 2024. During her elite gymnastics career, Miller earned seven Olympic medals – two gold, two silver, and three bronze. She was also an integral member of the Magnificent Seven team that secured a historic gold at the Atlanta Games 1996.

Additionally, Miller won five gold, three silver, and one bronze at the World Championships. Beyond her gymnastics achievements, she founded the Shannon Miller Foundation which is dedicated to combating childhood obesity.

1. Simone Biles

Simone Biles is widely regarded as the greatest gymnast to grace the sport. Having won 23 gold, 4 silver, and 3 bronze (30 combined), the 27-year-old is the most decorated gymnast in the history of the Artistic Gymnastics World Championships.

At the Paris Olympics 2024, Biles became the most successful USA gymnast when she won the gold in the women’s team event, also her eighth medal overall in the Summer Games’ history.

Biles wrapped up her remarkable campaign at this edition’s quadrennial games, winning two more golds in the women’s individual all-around and vault events, and a silver in the floor exercise. This has now brought her overall Olympic medal tally to 11 medals, including 7 gold, 2 silver, and 2 bronze medals.

However, Biles is celebrated not only for her dominance in gymnastics but also for her silencing critics and standing up for self. This was witnessed when she advocated for mental health during the Tokyo Olympics 2020 by withdrawing from multiple events after experiencing the ‘Twisties’.

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