Sports fans in the United States all have the same complaint after both Simone Biles and Suni Lee dominated the all-around competition during the 2024 Paris Olympics’ gymnastics qualifying round.
Though fans love to see Biles and Lee compete — as they are two of the best gymnasts of all time — many also want to see the other U.S. gymnasts get a chance to compete in this year’s Olympic Games.
Olympic Qualifying Rounds
During the gymnastics qualifying round for the 2024 Paris Olympics, Biles, Lee, Jordan Chiles, Jade Carey, and Hezly Rivera earned a 172.296 score.
As Russia is not competing in the games this year, many analysts and fans think that no other country will beat out Team USA.
Biles and Lee in the Qualifying Round
Biles dominated the qualifying competition, as she ended up in first place with a 59.566 score. Lee, meanwhile, came out in second place with a 56.132 score.
Both gymnasts performed spectacularly in this qualifying round. However, this has made some sports fans frustrated with Olympic rules.
Chiles Can’t Compete
As Biles and Lee ended up in first and second place during this qualifying round, they will be able to compete in the Olympic Games all-around competition for gymnastics.
Unfortunately, this also means that Chiles — who ended up in third place right behind Lee with only a slightly lower score of 56.065 — will now not be able to compete in the all-around competition.
Narrowly Missing the Chance to Participate
Chiles just barely missed the chance to participate in the all-around competition at this year’s Olympics, as Lee beat her by only .067 points.
As Chiles performed remarkably during this qualifying round, many fans voiced their outrage over the fact that she wouldn’t be able to compete, simply because she came in third.
An Unpopular Olympic Rule
Olympic rule states that only 24 gymnasts compete in the all-around competition. There is a two-person per country rule that was created in an effort to ensure that athletes from all over the world can participate.
However, this also means that many good gymnasts cannot participate, in the case of Chiles.
The History of This Rule
The International Olympics Committee (IOC) first decided to make this rule after the 1972 Olympics, which saw four Soviet gymnasts in the vault final when there were only six competing spots.
Meanwhile, this same year saw five Japanese men compete in the vault final — out of only six spots.
Keeping the Games Fair?
After this, the IOC changed the rules of the game in an effort to keep only one country from dominating an event.
As a result, this new Olympic rule stated that only three gymnasts could compete in the all-around per country. In the individual events, only two per country could participate.
Yet Another Change
However, another change to the rules occurred after the 2000 Olympics, which saw Romania sweep the entire all-around competition with their three medal-placing gymnasts.
The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) then changed the rules, stating that only two gymnasts per country could compete.
Fans Rally Around Chiles
Now, many fans have come out in support of Chiles and have called out this long-standing rule, as they feel that it doesn’t give the best athletes the chance to truly compete.
Many of these fans have pointed out that Chiles is just as good as Biles and Lee, as she only narrowly missed her chance to participate in the all-around competition.
Other Athletes Have Called Out Old Rule
This Olympic rule has even been called out by gymnasts in the past, as they don’t understand why it has to remain a part of the games.
During the 2016 Rio Olympics, gymnast Aly Raisman said the rule was “stupid” when Gabby Douglas missed the chance to compete in the all-around competition after placing behind Raisman and Biles.
Let the Best Athletes Compete
Many sports fans have claimed that the very best athletes around the world should be able to compete in the Olympic Games — regardless of whether they’re from the same country or not.
Raisman previously said, “I think the two-per-country rule is the dumbest thing ever. Who cares if there’s five Chinese girls in the finals? If they’re the best, they should compete.”
