Simone Biles steps up to lead the ‘USA trials’ and get closer to the Paris Games

Simone Biles He saved the best for last to lead the way United States Olympic Team Trials in Minneapolis on Friday in an opening night where Shilese Jones and Kayla DiCello suffered injuries.

Biles was left around the middle of the table after swinging on the balance beam. But she parlayed that disappointment into a spectacular floor routine and capped off the night with a soaring Yurchenko double pike jump that brought the more than 16,000 sold-out fans at Toyota Center to their feet.

Galls he scored 15.975 for his signature jump and is firmly in the lead with 58.900 points. Tokyo Olympic silver medalist Jordan Chiles scored 56.400 points, while Olympic all-around champion and Minnesota native Sunisa Lee finished third.

Despite ending the night on a high note, the night got off to a brutal start as serious injury They continue to rise in the US a month before the Paris Games.

Kayla DiCello He left the ground in a wheelchair after landing poorly on his jump early in the competition. Shilese Jones, a heavy favorite to make the team, received medical attention after his jump went wrong during warm-ups. Jones ended his night after the first round and it is unclear if he will compete again in Sunday’s finals.

Skye Blakely, another favorite to make the team, suffered an Achilles tendon injury during practice on Wednesday that ruled the 19-year-old out of the competition. Injuries to Jones, Blakely and DiCello open the door for unknown athletes like Hezly Rivera, Leanne Wong and 16-year-old Tiana Sumanasekera to be part of the five-woman team for Paris, which will be named on Sunday .