American Jade Carey takes gold in floor exercise at Tokyo Olympics
TOKYO — Jade Carey, the only U.S. gymnast competing in event finals Monday, won a gold medal on floor exercise in her second event final.
The 21-year-old from Phoenix tripped on her first vault Monday and finished eighth in that final. She also competed all-around in place of Simone Biles, taking eighth.
Carey is the third consecutive U.S. floor exercise gold medalist following Aly Raisman in 2012 and Biles in 2016. She is the 10th overall American to medal on floor at the Olympics.
Biles did not compete on floor Monday but is planning to return Tuesday for the balance beam final. Biles has been out since the team final due to mental health concerns.
Carey competed second in an eight-woman final that included Great Britain’s Jennifer Gadirova in place of Biles. Carey scored 14.366, a score that held up for the lead against the final six competitors.
Italy’s Vanessa Ferrari was the silver medalist. Japan’s Mai Murakami and Angelina Melnikova of Russia Olympic Committee tied for third.
After Carey won, she walked past her U.S. teammates in the stands, including Biles and MyKayla Skinner, and let out a congratulatory roar.
Men’s finals Monday were on still rings and vaulting.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: American Jade Carey takes gold in floor exercise at Tokyo Olympics
