Gymnastics fans are dismayed with one star gymnast leaving the sport after another. Vanessa Ferrari tops that list. After appearing in four Olympics, the 33-year-old drew a line on her professional career last year in October. In Tokyo, she made history by claiming the silver medal in the floor exercise event in women’s gymnastics- the first Italian woman gymnast in the Olympics’ history to clinch an individual medal. After Vanessa, a lot of young ones bid goodbye to the sport. Unfortunately, names like Meolie Jauch left the sport in their teenage years. Now, the list has another name. 

Like Jauch, Carina Kroell used to represent Germany in international contests. But in 2022, she shifted her allegiance to Austria on the gymnastics mat. Further in 2025, she made a final decision. The gymnastics pro will have something else on her plate in the coming days. But what led her to make such a decision and what will be her role in the coming days? Here is the rest of the story. 

Former world champion embarks on a new journey

“With an European Championship, World Cup and a World Cup victory, I am closing the international chapter and looking forward to new career paths. Thank you for your continued support!” Carina Kroell ended her long note with these words. On January 24, the German-Austrian gymnast shared that note on Instagram to let the world her final decision. The 24-year-old will not return to the international contests anymore. The name that once claimed a gold medal at the floor exercise event in the Cottbus World Cup 2016 will not grace the same stage again. But she will not leave the sport anytime soon. Gymnastics fans might find her on another stage. 

In her detailed post, Kroell mentioned, “Although I am ending my international gymnastics career, gymnastics remains an important part of my life. I remain loyal to my home club, TSV Berkheim, and continue to start in the 1. Federal League.” So, in the coming days, the Filderstadt-born will continue to compete in the flagship gymnastics contest, Bundesliga. After all, she has a memorable history in the Bundesliga.

In 2022, Carina Kroell claimed four medals in four events at the 1st Bundesliga. She continued that affair in the fourth Bundesliga in 2023 by claiming the gold medal in floor exercise. However, in 2024, she failed to deliver. And in 2025, she ended her glorious international career. For her, it’s now time to take it easy.

Carina Kroell stated in her post, “The time with 30 hours of training per week is over—I’ll listen to my body and adjust the load.” As per her, her passion for gymnastics will be active while competing in the Bundesliga. In her post, the gymnast acknowledged the role played by her clubs in nurturing her love for gymnastics. In the same post, Kroell acknowledged her mother’s role in the gymnast’s development. 

A bit of that went as, “Of course, a lot of things wouldn’t have been possible without my mom. She’s always there, organized, planning, and providing support, whether it’s at competitions or in everyday life. Thank you mama for always having me count on you 🫶🏻.” But what about her shifting to Austria? What did she have to say about that?

The gymnastics decision makes her emotional 

Injuries have interspersed Carina Kroell’s phenomenal gymnastics career. In 2019, she had to come under knives and needles twice. In 2023, she had an injury in her meniscus. In 2021, she missed the Olympic berth to represent Germany at the Tokyo Olympics. She had to take a tough call after that. At this crucial juncture, her dual citizenship came to help. In 2022, she secured her right to represent Austria in the gymnastics contest. At that moment, her sole target was to perform at the Olympics. 

In her conversation with International Gymnast Media, she said, “My biggest goal is the Olympic Games.”  Even though she failed to secure her entry to the Paris Olympics in the next two years, she accepted this journey as a beautiful chapter in her life. In her Instagram post, Kroell penned, “Moving to Austria was one of the best decisions of my career—it opened up new perspectives and motivated me enormously. Without my dad’s Austrian citizenship and his support, this path would not have been possible. Thanks for this special upgrade!” 

Although Carina Kroell’s international career is over, we are still excited to see what lies ahead of this phenomenal gymnast. She has earned the respect and admiration of not just the people of Germany and Austria, but of different corners of the world. She is all set to embark upon a brand new phase of her life, and we wish her the very best for the same!