Biles and McLaughlin-Levrone help NBC to big ratings in US Olympic trials

The U.S. women's team from left to right, Suni Lee, Simone Biles, Hezly Rivera, Jordan Chiles and Jade Carey, smile after being named to the 2024 Olympic team at the United States Gymnastics Olympic Trials on Sunday, June 30, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

NEW YORK (AP) — Simone Biles and Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone helped NBC and Peacock have the most watched U.S. Olympic trials in eight years Sunday night.

Biles qualified for her third Olympic team in gymnastics and that led to an average of 7.6 million viewers on NBC and Peacock, making it the most watched trials since 2016.

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone poses for a photo after winning the women's 400-meter hurdles final during the U.S. Track and Field Olympic Team Trials, Sunday, June 30, 2024, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Sunday night's audience peaked at 8.2 million viewers as Biles and the other gymnasts completed their final rotations.

Earlier in the night, McLaughlin-Levrone broke the world record in the 400-meter hurdles, running a 50.65 in the event.

The track and field trials averaged 4.5 million viewers across its eight nights of competition which was up 38% from 2021.

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AP Summer Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games

The Associated Press