The 2024 Core Hydration Classic was epic for many reasons. Simone Biles’ Yurchenko Double Pike on the vault after 3 years. Jordan Chiles‘ electrifying floor routine set to Beyoncé songs. And that final podium image featuring Biles in her fuchsia pink leotard, Chiles on the right, and Shilese Jones on the left. However, this time, as the U.S. Classic, aka the Core Hydration Classic, returns to Illinois on July 18 and July 19, will the two leading ladies from Team USA still be there? That’s a question that has been looming for long…
Before Simone Biles entered the US Classic 2024, she had won 6 of these before, barring the only year she missed it in 2022. In hours, she took that count to 6, with the all-around gold, thanks to a total score of 59.500. Whereas Jordan Chiles took home the bronze with a 55.45 score. Also, that event had not only kicked off the 2024 gymnastics season but highlighted the individual brilliance present in Team USA’s contingent ahead of Paris….but this time, things look different. It’s been 11 months since Biles was last spotted competing for Team USA. Exactly the same for Chiles. But do they break that dry spell and show up on the national mats at the US Classic?
It might be heartbreaking, but the answer to that seems to be no. USA Gymnastics on July 13 added an X post stating, “Stay tuned, the final list of registered athletes for #USClassic drops tomorrow!” When that list surfaced today, titled “Everything you need to know about the U.S. Classic,” as promised, it featured the entire roster details for the Senior Women Sessions 1 and 2 of the event. But neither of the lists featured Simone Biles nor Jordan Chiles’ names. This might be just the confirmation that neither of the two all-around podium finishers is coming to defend their ranks.
Although there might be a possibility that either of the two, or both, come to cheer on the rest of the gymnasts, but they aren’t competing themselves, and that’s known. This puts an end to the speculation that had been going on for a long time now. Around the start of July, Inside Gymnastics added a video of Jordan training at home, with the caption, “Jordan Chiles is showing fans a double-double off of bars! Do you think this is Chiles teasing an elite comeback or just some fun in the gym?” This had fanned the fire that she might be coming.
NEXT STOP: U.S. CLASSIC
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW FOR #USCLASSIC https://t.co/PU0vIh3pic pic.twitter.com/HB3yKWoz6p
— USA Gymnastics (@USAGym) July 14, 2025
Also, just last week, there was a similar update revolving around Biles. Kaylia Nemour added an Instagram story featuring Simone Biles, where the 11-time Olympic medalist gymnast was seen in a training facility, wearing her gymnastics attire and standing beside fellow gymnast Kaylia Nemour. With her update, Nemour wrote, “A pleasure to see you again @simonebiles.” This wasn’t any official update. But it sparked speculations if Biles was training for the forthcoming U.S. Classic. However, all these claims seem to have been put to an end for now.
While both Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles look like they are staying away from the gymnastics mats for now, they have been up to a lot in their lives outside gymnastics. Biles has been on a vacation spree this year, her most recent one in Belize with her husband, Jonathan Owens. On the other hand, Jordan Chiles got featured on the 2025 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover and walked the ramp for them. So, clearly, they have taken over the spotlight. But on the mats, it’s now time for the next generation to shine.
While Simone Biles and Chiles are sitting out, here’s a peek at the roster
While Simone Biles seems to be on a post-Olympic break and is not appearing at the US Classic, the gymnast who had won in her absence in 2022, Leanne Wong, is showing up this time too. Other than that, we have Olympic gold medalist and LSU commit Hezly Rivera. As well as the Olympic alternates, Joscelyn Roberson and Tiana Sumanasekera.
While these gymnasts do come with a star value, the competition is going to be tough for them, as there are other competent entrants. There’s the 2025 Winter Cup champion Ashlee Sullivan. The 2025 Jesolo Trophy bars champion, Simone Rose. There’s also Jayla Hang, who just won the Pan American all-around title in June, defeating Hezly Rivera.
Yes, the field is not as stacked as last year. In 2024, it was the first time ever when 3 Olympic all-around champions were going up against each other at the US Classic. However, in the absence of the big names, it’s an opportunity for the youngsters to shine. As this event shall prepare them for the impending US Championships between August 7-10. But, well, Biles and Chiles, the iconic duo, being absent is a bummer, right? Let us know what you think!
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