Canada advance to women's artistic gymnastics team final in Paris

PARIS — Led by Olympic veteran Ellie Black, Canada advanced to the team final in women's artistic gymnastics by finishing fifth in Sunday's qualifying.

Black, from Halifax, led the Canadian team with an eighth-place finish in the all-around standings. She scored a combined 54.766 points on vault, uneven bars, balance beam and the floor exercise to qualify for the all-around final.

Ava Stewart of Bowmanville, Ont., finished 21st in all-around qualifying and also advanced.

The 28-year-old Black, competing in her fourth Olympics, also qualified for the vault final with a seventh-place finish. Vancouver's Shallon Olsen will join Black after placing sixth.

Toronto's Cassie Lee and Aurelie Tran of Repentigny, Que., also contributed to Canada's team score.

"It's pretty incredible. I'm a little bit emotional because some of the girls you know, they have great days and didn't have great days. But being at my fourth Olympics (and do this), it's an incredible result," said Black on reaching the final, 12 years after making the team final in her Olympic debut.

"If you had asked me in London (2012 Olympic Games) if I would be here, I probably would have said no. I'm so grateful to be here and to do what I love. Gymnastics is so hard, it brings so many emotions and we train so hard for it."

Black said she has grown as an athlete since the London Games.

"I think I've learned a balance and who I am. I still get nervous, I still struggle, but I think to go out there and really just enjoy the moment and be present," she said. "I think it's important because you never know when you're going to get another opportunity like this, with this team out on the competition floor with this amazing crowd."

Canada's men's team advanced to its final by finishing eighth in qualifying on Saturday. This is only the second time both Canadian gymnastics teams have reached the finals, the first being at the boycotted 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.

The United States dominated women's qualifying, with Simone Biles, Sunisa Lee and Jordan Chiles finishing in the top three all-around spots.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 28, 2024.