After a year full of twists and turns, the road to Rio has finally reached St. Louis for the U.S. Men's Gymnastics Olympic Trials. After two days of competition a few weeks ago in Hartford at the P&G Men's Gymnastics Championships and two days of competition here, the final U.S. Men's Gymnastics Olympic Team will be announced with one guaranteed spot going to the all-around champion and four chosen by the national team committee. The competition will be held Thursday and Saturday night at Chafietz Arena in downtown St. Louis. 

Performance at the P&G Championships

At Hartford's P&G Men's Gymnastics Championships, it was four-time national champion Sam Mikulak who came out on top with Chris Brooks and Jake Dalton taking second and third. For the first time this season, Mikulak showcased the consistency on all six events he possess, nearly locking up an Olympic spot for him, while Brooks more seriously inserted himself into the conversation as a potential fifth selection. 

A disappointing performance in Hartford came from defending world vault bronze medalist Donnell Whittenburg, who failed to back up his second all-around finish at the American Cup, tying for fifth all-around in Hartford. Whittenburg, who led after day one, struggled to find any consistency on the second day of competition, falling on the high bar but still not doing poorly enough to knock himself out of Olympic contention. 

Other notable finishes in Hartford came from 2014 world team bronze medal winner Paul Ruggeri III who tied for eighth all-around, 2012 Olympian John Orozco who came in tenth, and 2012 Olympic alternate Alex Naddour who finished in twelfth. 

Sam Mikulak, Chris Brooks, and Jake Dalton on the podium at the P&G Men's Gymnastics Championships in Hartford/Getty Images
Sam Mikulak, Chris Brooks, and Jake Dalton on the podium at the P&G Men's Gymnastics Championships in Hartford/Getty Images

Past Olympic Trial and Olympics experience

Of the seven Olympians and alternates for London 2012, six of them are competing here this week in St. Louis. Four of the five members of the fifth place winning London 2012 team are returning, with London all-around bronze medalist Danell Leyva, Sam Mikulak, Jake Dalton, and John Orozco returning.

Of the alternates, all three are gunning for a first Olympic selection this week, with Chris Brooks, Steven Legendre, and Alex Naddour seeking to punch their tickets to Rio. The one London 2012 team member not returning is Jonathan Horton, who underwent shoulder surgery earlier this year. Coming in without any Olympic or Olympic Trial experience is fellow national team members Paul Ruggeri III and Eddie Penev

The U.S. Men's Gymnastics Olympic Team at the London 2012 Olympic Team Finals/Getty Images
The U.S. Men's Gymnastics Olympic Team at the London 2012 Olympic Team Finals/Getty Images

Who will be selected to represent the U.S. in Rio?

With Mikulak having all but carried the torch for U.S men's gymnastics the past four years, it's hard to think of a scenario where he's not on the Olympic team. Just behind Mikulak is 2015 world vault bronze medalist Donnell Whittenburg, who is also seemingly a lock. After a confident performance in Hartford, 2012 Olympian Jake Dalton looks like a secure bet as well.

Aside from that, it's hard to predict who the fourth and fifth spots will go to. After inserting himself into the conversation in Hartford, London alternate Chris Brooks could be a good dark horse pick and Paul Ruggeri III is another outsider looking for a spot in. After two days of competition in St. Louis, expect the team to be Sam Mikulak, Donnell Whittenburg, Jake Dalton, Chris Brooks, and Paul Ruggeri III representing the U.S. in Rio with John Orozco, Alex Naddour, and Dannel Leyva rounding out the team as alternates.

Predictions:

U.S. Men's Gymnastics Olympic Team: Sam Mikulak, Donnell Whittenburg, Jake Dalton, Chris Brooks, Paul Ruggeri III.

U.S. Men's Gymnastics Olympic Team Alternates: John Orozco, Alex Naddour, Danell Leyva. 

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About the author
Thomas Cluck
Thomas Cluck is an avid tennis fan who loves to share his passion for the sport through writing. Thomas is from Dallas, TX, and is an tennis agent and PR person. Thomas has been watching tennis for many years and covers the sport daily on his Instagram page @atpwta_tennis.