Three years ago, Shilese Jones fell short of her goal of making the U.S. Olympic team after finishing 10th at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials and was considered to be a front-runner for the Paris Olympics until an injury forced her to withdraw from the 2024 U.S. Olympic Gymnastics Trials.
At the last two world championships, Jones proved her worth by landing on the all-around medal podium with a silver in 2022 and a bronze in 2023. At the 2023 Xfinity U.S. Gymnastics Championships, she finished second to Simone Biles in the all-around in addition to winning gold on the uneven bars and bronze on the floor exercise.
Get to know a little more about Shilese Jones.
Athlete Bio
How old is Shilese Jones?
Shilese Jones is 21-years-old and was born July 26, 2002.
How tall is Shilese Jones?
Shilese Jones is one of the taller gymnasts on the national team at 5-foot-3.
Where is Shilese Jones from?
Shilese Jones was born in Seattle, Washington to parents Sylvester Jones and Latrice Bryant. In 2014, Jones and her family moved to Columbus, Ohio so she could train at Buckeye Gymnastics, alongside 2012 Olympic all-around champion Gabby Douglas, who was preparing for the 2016 Rio Olympics. In 2022, after her father died, Jones moved back to Seattle to be closer to family and began training at Ascend Gymnastics under her current coaches Sarah Korngold and Brett Wargo.
How many sisters does Shilese Jones have?
Shilese Jones has two siblings, Amari Jones (younger) and Naekayla Davis (older).
What are some fun facts about Shilese Jones?
- Shilese Jones has a tattoo on her back dedicated to her father that reads: 'Dad... Your name echoes in my heartbeat'
- Shilese Jones made history when she was on the first all-Black medal podium at the U.S. Championships in 2022, alongside Konnor McClain and Jordan Chiles. Jones made history once again when she landed on the medal podium at the 2023 World Championships with Simone Biles and Rebeca Andrade. It was the first all-Black all-around podium in world championships history.
Career highlights
How many Olympics has Shilese Jones been to?
Shilese Jones has never made an Olympic team. Jones competed at the Olympic Trials in 2021, where she placed 10th all-around and third on vault. However, she was not selected for the team or an alternate position.
How many National Championships does Shilese Jones have on uneven bars?
Shilese Jones won the national title on uneven bars in 2022 and 2023.
How many National Championships does Shilese Jones have on floor exercise?
Shilese Jones won a national title on the floor exercise in 2022.
How many world medals does Shilese Jones have?
Shilese Jones has six world medals from two world championships. In 2022 she won gold with the United States team in addition to a silver in the all-around and on uneven bars. In 2023, she helped the U.S. team win gold once again, in addition to winning a bronze medal in the all-around and on uneven bars.
Road to Paris
Where does Shilese Jones train?
Shilese Jones trains at Ascend Gymnastics under Sarah Korngold and Brett Wargo.
How did Shilese Jones do at the 2024 Core Hydration Classic?
Shilese Jones made her 2024 season debut at the Core Hydration Classic and performed very well. Jones finished second in the all-around to Simone Biles, in addition to winning the uneven bars title and finishing second on floor exercise.
Why didn't Shilese Jones compete at the 2024 Xfinity U.S. Championships?
Shilese Jones withdrew from the Xfinity U.S. Gymnastics Championships just a few hours before the first day of women's competition was set to begin. Prior to podium training, Jones reported an injury to her right shoulder that flared up after the Core Hydration Classic, but at that time was still planning to compete. Before the first night of competition began, Jones released a statement saying she was pulling out of the competition to focus on recovery and planned to petition to compete at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials.
What happened to Shilese Jones at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Gymnastics Trials?
Jones appeared to injure her knee on vault in the pre-competition warm up, however, no diagnosis has been confirmed. Jones went on to compete on uneven bars on night one, posting a 14.675 on the apparatus, but then pulled out of the remainder of that night's competition. Due to her injury, Jones was not selected for the Paris Olympic team.
In her own words
Shilese Jones on her earliest Olympic memory
"I remember watching the 2012 Olympics and being like, 'I want to be the next Gabby Douglas!' All the girls on that Olympic team were so amazing and so unreal to watch. I couldn’t help but dream big enough for me to one day be standing on that same podium."
Shilese Jones on her biggest obstacle
"My dad passing away and still having to carry on with my gymnastics goals."
Shilese Jones on her pre-competition rituals
"I love to put on music and drink a smoothie."
Shilese Jones on her "why"
"I love the sport of gymnastics. It’s a form of art to me. And I love creating. Also I want to change the sport, grow it, and leave it in a completely different place than when I started."
Shilese Jones on what she's looking forward to in Paris
"Paris is beautiful! The fans are amazing! I’m looking forward to the full experience and just soaking it all in."
Shilese Jones on her favorite food to splurge on
"I love a good salmon bowl! My cheat meal would probably be a pizookie!"
Shilese Jones on what she wants people to know about her
"I’m passionate and determined and working hard to reach my Olympic dreams."