The 2023 World Gymnastics Championship was a gravel road for the contesting gymnasts. The 2023 Worlds saw not one, but multiple injuries that called for a replacement. Even as Team USA sat atop the leaderboard with 171.395 from the qualifier round, the team was to witness obstacles. Jocelyn Roberson, the 16-year-old team member injured her leg during a warm-up and unfortunately couldn’t contest for the apparatuses she was named for; vault and floor exercise. To fill in her space, the team had to call upon the previous Worlds gymnast, Leanne Wong.

The gymnast beautifully filled in the space during the team finals; ending the day with a gold for the team. However, with Jocelyn’s persisting injury, Leanne had the opportunity to be a replacement for the former during the all-around finals. But the process to get there wasn’t made a smoother one by the FIG. Following an appeal and controversy, the organization revealed its reasons through a statement.

FIG states the reasons for Wong’s participation issue

During the all-around finals, the event required the attendance of all 8 gymnasts. And so with the withdrawal of USA’s Jocelyn, another member of the team had the right to participate by the rules of the FGI; which read, “If a qualified gymnast withdraws from the final, they may be replaced by another gymnast from the same NOC if that gymnast is ranked higher than the nominated reserve gymnasts.” Playing by it, Leanne Wong was by all rights the right replacement for Jocelyn. But the organization earlier that day announced that Csenge Bácskay – who was placed below Wong- would be filling up the space after another gymnast withdrew.

The decision obliged USA Gymnastics to raise an appeal against the organization. After a long procedure, the organization revealed that both the gymnasts would be contending in the finals with an exception. Further addressing the error, they released a statement reasoning the mishap – “The Jury of Appeal understands and accepts USA Gymnastics’ reason which lead to a misunderstanding and considers this an administrative error.”

The organization further stated that the errors should not be detrimental to the gymnast; a statement that arrived in the situation of absolute necessity as Jocelyn’s withdrawal from the contest wasn’t the only case for the day.

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A series of withdrawals at the 2023 World Gymnastics Championship

Jocelyn Roberson might have been the first one to incur an injury on the team finals, but she wasn’t the only one. Jessica Gadirova, the English artistic gymnast, fell next in line among the ones to sit out. Jessica after performing at the team finals, experienced a minor misstep on the vaults. Though the reason remained unknown Jessica decided to withdraw on an all-around day; calling in on the confusion surrounding Csenge Bácskay, and Leanne Wong.

Following the cases, the Chinese teams also announced the withdrawal of their remarkable 19-year-old gymnast on the same day. The Chinese Gymnastics announced the news through their X account, posting, “Ou Yushan has withdrawn from the Women’s All-Around final at #ARTWorlds2023. She will be replaced by Morgane Osyssek-Reimer.” Though the reasons were not stated, a speculated injury surfaces the chat. 

Injuries and withdrawals are no stanger to the sports. A misstep here and a slipped hand there become reasons enough for jeopardy. While the mentioned artists might have succumbed to a fall, the relief of wellness floats the events. And despite all the occurrences all the three women’s teams have progressed into the ultimate pinnacle of any sportsmen; the Olympics.

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