Olympic Gymnast Suni Lee shares why she is making a comeback
Olympic Gymnast Suni Lee describes how she knew she was going to make a comeback and why she decided to create a documentary at the ESPYs 2026 carpet.
Olympic gold medalist gymnast Hezly Rivera was the youngest member of Team USA at the 2024 Paris Olympics, but the 18-year-old now considers herself a veteran in the lead-up to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
Rivera’s next step toward the Games is defending her all-around national title at the 2026 U.S. Gymnastics Championships, which will be contested in Phoenix for the first time this weekend.
“I honestly think (last year’s win) really just taught me a lot more about my mental strength,” Rivera said this week ahead of the competition. “I’m very grateful that I am a national champion and it took a lot of hard work and dedication to get there. So I’m just doing what I do in the gym and seeing how it all plays out this year. And I’m just really excited to be back competing.”
Rivera headlines a women’s field that features two-time Olympic champion Jade Carey and defending U.S. uneven bars champion Skye Blakely, who will be competing in the all-around for the first time in two years. The men’s field is rounded out by Olympic bronze medalists Frederick Richard and Stephen Nedoroscik.
Here’s everything you need to know about the 2026 U.S. Gymnastics Championships:
How to watch 2026 U.S. Gymnastics Championships
All times Eastern
Friday, Aug. 7
- Day 1: Senior Women | NBC Sports Network, Peacock (10 p.m.-12 a.m.)
Saturday, Aug. 8
- Day 2: Senior Men | NBC Sports Network, Peacock (7:30-10:00 p.m.)
Sunday, Aug. 9
- Day 2: Senior Women | NBC, Peacock (6-8 p.m.)
Reach USA TODAY National Women’s Sports Reporter Cydney Henderson at chenderson@gannett.com and follow her on X at @CydHenderson.
