McCallum Shines In Team USA's Resilient Silver Medal Performance
TOKYO – After a phenomenal and resilient performance, Grace McCallum will join the Utah gymnastics program as an Olympic silver medalist this fall after the incoming freshman and Team USA collected a second-place finish early Tuesday morning in Tokyo.
Team USA had to overcome adversity early in the team final after Simone Biles was pulled out of the competition following her vault due to injury. The pressure increased for McCallum and fellow teammates Jordan Chiles and Sunisa Lee with the United States behind Russia from the start.
McCallum led off every event for Team USA, proving to be extremely consistent time and time again. McCallum hit 8-8 routines between the team qualification and today's final. Following a 14.300 on vault to get the competition started, she was not rattled after learning the news of Biles and led off the uneven bars with a 13.700.
The Isanti, Minn. native had an exceptional beam routine as Team USA started to cut the gap on Russia's lead. McCallum scored a 13.666 on beam to setup Chiles and Lee for another great rotation. Heading into the final event, McCallum improved her floor score from qualification and posted a 13.500. The comeback for the Americans came up short, but they would hang on for a silver medal after a true fight from the start.
Following her crucial role in Team USA's performance, McCallum will join the Utes as an Olympic silver medalist to go along with her status of a two-time World Champion and four-year member of the USA National Team.
Congratulations to @TeamUSA for bringing home silver! ??
What a performance from @grace_mccallum2, @ChilesJordan, @sunisalee_ & @Simone_Biles! So much resiliency shown throughout the competition & we are nothing but proud. ??????#Tokyo2020 https://t.co/ElTvAkAZim
— Utah Gymnastics (@UtahGymnastics) July 27, 2021
She will make her collegiate debut for Utah gymnastics in the 2022 season. To catch McCallum and the entire Utah gymnastics team in the Huntsman Center, renew your season tickets here or take advantage of the Olympic ticket sale and purchase discounted upper bowl tickets here.