‘Golden’ on Peacock is a Must-Watch for All Olympic Gymnastics Fans

Gymnastics are always one of the highlights of the Olympic games. They combine grace with power, superhuman stunts with all-too-human stress. But while gymnastics fans usually only see what goes down on the floor, we have no idea what may be happening behind-the-scenes to amp up the tension in these elite athletes’ lives. Peacock‘s original docuseries Golden: The Journey of USA’s Elite Gymnasts lifts the curtain on what it feels like to be in the running for the U.S. Olympics gymnastics team. The show does to gymnastics what Netflix’s Cheer did for competitive college cheerleading, which means it gives viewers an unblinking look at the pain and sacrifice that Suni Lee, MyKayla Skinner and more go through to make it to the Olympics.

Golden: The Journey of USA’s Elite Gymnasts follows five Olympic team hopefuls during the five months leading up to the 2020 trials. The series was produced in the midst of the COVID-19 global pandemic and in the aftermath of USA Gymnastics’ Larry Nasser scandal. Needless to say, the usual pressure going into an Olympic year was ratcheted up for these young elite athletes. Adding to the tension? The understanding that Simone Biles was essentially a shoo-in for one of the few spots on the 2020 USA Olympics team. Making it through the gauntlet of training camps and competitions to get to the Trials would take a Herculean feats of physical and mental strength.

At first, Golden seems like just a sweet look behind-the-scenes at five gymnasts with a shot at greatest. We meet teenage Konnor McClain, who would have been too young to compete in 2020, so has benefited from the Games’ postponement. She’s a shy West Virginian kid who might not yet realize the enormity of moving up from Juniors to Seniors. Then there’s Morgan Hurd, 2020’s brightest star, who has been struggling with elbow injuries during the pandemic. She would have been a shoo-in had the Olympics stuck to their schedule, but the time off from the sport has given the older, artsy teen newfound time to reflect on bigger issues, like social justice and her Asian-American heritage. Then we follow 2016 Olympic gold medalist Laurie Hernandez as she attempts to comeback to a sport that she has a big love/hate relationship with. Still traumatized from the “old” USA Gymnastics, she’s found new confidence in a more laid-back gym, but an injury (and new blood) threatens her berth in a 2020 Olympics team.

However, the two gymnasts viewers might find themselves most fascinated by are two we know now will make the team and reach Olympic glory. Sunisa “Suni” Lee is a technical marvel on the bars, but is battling injuries as she preps to take on the great Simone Biles in competition. MyKayla Skinner is the 2016 alternate fighting through COVID and injuries of her own to finally make the team and be an “Olympian.” Little do either gymnast know that Biles will eventually have step down from some key Olympic events due to an affliction known as the “twisties.” The stress-induced physical ailment robs gymnasts of their center of gravity in the air and makes it impossible for even elite athletes to nail simple, let alone dangerous, landings. Lee will go on to win Gold in the All-Around and Skinner the Silver in vault.

Much like Netflix’s Cheer, though, Golden doesn’t just give us a triumphant ending. It also shows the dark side of gymnastics. There are scenes of brutal injuries incurred in the practice gym, and worse, during competition. The physical pain these athletes endure (and witness!) is directly related to their mental state. While we are used to seeing insane vaults and gorgeous bar releases look second-nature, Golden shows the work that goes into them. And the danger attached to each spectacular routine.

If you like watching gymnastics at the Olympics, Golden: The Journey of USA’s Elite Gymnasts is a must-watch. Not only will it take you behind-the-scenes into the lives of these remarkable athletes, but give you a better appreciation for what it takes to get to the Olympic games. Golden: The Journey of USA’s Elite Gymnasts is a gripping triumph.

Where to stream Golden: The Journey of USA’s Elite Gymnasts