After Sunday night, Team USA gymnasts — Simone Biles, Aly Raisman, Gabby Douglas, Madison Kocian and Laurie Hernandez — will arguably need their own moniker (think “Fierce Five” at the 2012 London Olympics) because they are shutting it down in Rio.
Biles and Raisman placed first and second in the individual all-around standings, and Douglas, who won all-around gold in London, gave a strong performance that landed her in third place. However, only Biles and Raisman will be able to compete in Tuesday’s all-around final due to the two-per-country rule by the International Federation of Gymnastics (IFG), where only two gymnasts from any given country can participate in the final round.
But before we witness more jaw-dropping moments (and nervous shoulder leans by Raisman’s parents) on Tuesday, here’s what we’ve seen from the team so far.
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1. These women have serious eyeliner game.
It’s unclear whether the U.S. gymnastics team has its own makeup artist or if they do their own makeup, but regardless, they’ve been looking flawless — especially 19-year-old Biles. On Sunday evening, the American gymnast stood out, not only for her near perfect vault and high-flying floor routine, but for her perfect cat eyeliner, glittery silver inner corners and blue bottom liner.
TEAM USA: Simone Biles‘ flawless makeup (Photo: Getty Images)
2. Speaking of Biles, Kim Kardashian is a big fan.
Biles has a fan in Kim Kardashian, thanks to North West. After the reality star wished the star gymnast good luck via Twitter — to which Biles responded “Thank You So Much!!!” and “by the way I’m obsessed with North!” — Kim revealed that her 3-year-old daughter just started gymnastics and was even “rolling around on the bed pretending to copy her.” Not a bad role model for North.
.@KimKardashian wishing @Simone_Biles good luck in Rio is #Rio2016https://t.co/A7DYi3B5Gp
— NBC Olympics (@NBCOlympics) August 5, 2016
She just started gymnastics! Maybe she can show you some moves? https://t.co/tX681WgCyv
— Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) August 5, 2016
aww that is just too cute! she totally needs a #gkSimone leo and she’ll be my mini me! https://t.co/VKQsXW0zlD
— Simone Biles (@Simone_Biles) August 8, 2016
3. It’s a glitzy moment for Team USA leotards.
According to The New York Times, the leotards will have close to 5,000 Swarovski crystals each. That’s right, each. As you can imagine, it’s not cheap either. With each customized to fit their athletic figures, the heavily embellished one-piece (made by GK Elite, the official brand of the U.S. gymnastics team) costs an average of $1,200, reports NYT.
4. They are all about working together as a team — and dressing like a team.
In addition to the red, white and blue leotards, as well as matching tracksuits, the girls also like to match off the mat. Case in point: The team showed off their matching “squad goals” tank tops, giving Taylor Swift and co. a run for their money.
5. Hollywood is rooting for them.
Samuel L. Jackson was tweeting up a storm on Sunday, cheering them on. “All eyes on the Women Gymnasts!! Go USA!!” he posted on Twitter. Unofficial NBC Olympics commentator Leslie Jones, who was invited to Rio by exec producer Jim Bell, added, “Got to say I’m so proud there is two black girls in the crew to rep for USA!!” Janelle Monae even said she wanted to be Biles when she grows up. Said Monae: “Do y’all see how mind blowing this girl is?”
All eyes on the Women Gymnasts!! Go USA!!
— Samuel L. Jackson (@SamuelLJackson) August 7, 2016
Got to say I’m so proud there is two black girls in the crew to rep for USA!! pic.twitter.com/rqLlYYTYcE
— Leslie Jones (@Lesdoggg) August 7, 2016
I wanna be #SimoneBiles when I grow up. Do y’all see how mind blowing this girl is? Olympics
— Janelle Monáe, Cindi (@JanelleMonae) August 8, 2016
First Latina Olympic gymnast since the year I was born! Go on @lzhernandez02 with ur badass self! #imwithhernandez pic.twitter.com/HGSBsqVMxr
— America Ferrera (@AmericaFerrera) August 7, 2016
