RIO DE JANEIRO — Danell Leyva has no problem being in the shadow of the U.S. women’s gymnastics team.
Ever since Mary Lou Retton won gold at the 1984 Olympics, it’s the women who have given U.S. gymnastics its star power. Carly Patterson, Nastia Liukin and Gabby Douglas have won the last three Olympic all-around titles, and the Americans are favored to win their second consecutive gold in the team competition.
Three-time world champion Simone Biles is poised to become one of Rio’s breakout stars, favored to win five gold medals.
The men, meanwhile, have won just three Olympic medals since 2004 – one of which was Leyva’s all-around bronze in London.