To no surprise, Simone Biles leads halfway through the Olympic Trials. Of greater note is Gabby Douglas’ place in the standings -- seventh.
While Biles is en route to clinching the automatic spot on the five-woman Olympic team Sunday night (8:30 p.m. ET, NBC and NBC Sports app), Douglas certainly did not help her chances in San Jose, Calif., on Friday.
Douglas came into the meet considered a near lock to be on the five-woman team for Rio that will be announced after competition Sunday. Her merit was largely earned in 2015, when she finished second to Biles in the all-around at the world championships.
Douglas has not been the same since winning the AT&T American Cup on March 5. She was fourth in the all-around at the P&G Championships two weeks ago.
Even if Douglas’ spot on the Olympic team is still secure, her hopes of defending her Olympic all-around title are in serious jeopardy. The U.S. won’t put more than three women in the all-around in qualifying in Rio, and Biles, Laurie Hernandez and Aly Raisman all performed better than Douglas at the P&G Championships and the first night of Olympic Trials.
