Jade Carey Misses Floor Exercise Final at Paris Olympics

PARIS (AP) — Jade Carey, the reigning floor exercise gold medalist from the Tokyo Olympics, faced disappointment at the Paris Games as she failed to qualify for the final. A series of uncharacteristic mistakes during her routine left her outside the top eight, a setback she attributed to not feeling well leading up to the competition. Despite this, Carey remains focused on supporting her teammates, including Simone Biles, as they aim to reclaim Olympic glory after finishing second to Russia in Tokyo. Carey and fellow gymnast MyKayla Skinner, who qualified as a vault specialist, found themselves in a unique position at the Paris Olympics. Although they were part of the U.S. delegation, they were not officially included in the four-woman team competing for medals. This distinction meant they could not wear the same leotards as their teammates, which Carey described as a strange experience. However, she noted that the team made efforts to ensure she and Skinner felt included. The emotional challenges of the previous Olympics lingered for Carey, particularly when Biles withdrew from the team final to prioritize her mental health. This time, Carey is better prepared, thanks to a detailed training plan developed by her father, Brian Carey, who is also her coach. The plan allowed her to gradually build her skills, aiming for peak performance during the Olympic trials. Despite the pressures of competition, Carey expressed confidence in her training regimen, which was designed with flexibility to accommodate her needs as an elite gymnast. As she prepares to support her teammates, Carey remains committed to her journey in gymnastics, looking forward to future opportunities.