HARTFORD, Conn. — Simone Biles is kicking off the Olympic year in historic fashion.
The all-around gold medalist at the Rio Games begins her season Saturday at the U.S. Classic, where she’ll be joined by London champion Gabby Douglas and Tokyo winner Suni Lee. It’s the first time ever three Olympic all-around champions have competed together.
“It’s a really fun moment,” Douglas, who is back after taking almost eight years off, said Friday.
This meet doesn’t directly affect who makes the U.S. team for the Paris Olympics. But it plays a role because it’s a qualifier for the national championships later this month in Fort Worth, Texas. Results at nationals determine who gets invited to the Olympic trials, June 27-30 in Minneapolis.
How to watch the 2024 U.S. Classic
Biles’ session of competition will be televised live on CNBC and Peacock, which is NBC’s streaming service. NBC will also run a show recapping all the highlights from the U.S. Classic at 2 p.m. ET on Sunday.
More: How to watch gymnastics stars Simone Biles, Suni Lee, Gabby Douglas at 2024 U.S. Classic
What to expect from Biles, Lee and Douglas
Biles has already qualified for nationals as a member of the U.S. squad that won a seventh consecutive title at last year’s world championships. But she’s using this meet to test out her routines. She’s brought back her triple twisting, double somersault on floor exercise, also known as the Biles II, as well as the double-double dismount on uneven bars.
She’s also got new choreography on floor, from French choreographer Gregory Milan.
For Lee, this will be her first time doing the all-around since she had to cut short her final season at Auburn because of a kidney ailment, more than a year ago. She did bars and balance beam at Winter Cup in February, and vault and beam at the American Classic last month.
Douglas qualified to do three events at nationals with her performance at the American Classic, but is hoping to improve on that so she can compete in the all-around.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Simone Biles in US Classic: Live updates for women’s gymnastics today
