Forced to Go Under Surgery 5 Times, Olivia Dunne’s LSU Teammate Reveals Hardships Behind Gymnastics Return

In the world of elite sports, athletes are always prone to injury, but having the right mindset plays a pivotal role in getting them back. And the 19-year-old pro LSU gymnastic icon has that thing about her; always bouncing back, no matter what the situation is. Her journey has been anything but easy. From extreme highs and destructive lows, she has pulled herself back up and proved what she’s capable of. And we all love her for that!

Yes, we’re talking about Konnor McClain– the 2022 Winter Cup all-around and balance beam champion. But her path has never been straight. Do y’all remember? During the 2022 World Championships, Konnor McClain faced a major back injury, followed by another hand injury which took her several months to recover.

“It’s about like an eight-month comeback for my back, and then it’s a month comeback for my hand,” McClain said at that time. Life is indeed tough, but Konnor is tougher, upon that, she is continually tested by fate. But Konnor’s contention for the U.S. squad ended when she suffered yet another injury. And with that 16-year-old Hezly Rivera ended up with the fifth and final spot.

On May 18, 2024, she was warming up for a pre-Olympic meet in Hartford, Connecticut, when this traumatic incident happened. Konner tore her Achilles tendon and was rushed to hospital in a wheelchair. The sad part is, it all happened during a regular routine warm-up, crazy right? The injury did enough damage to her Olympic dreams, and on top of that, she had to undergo her fifth surgery again on May 21. Not the easiest thing to face, especially when you’ve been through so much already.

After the surgery, Konnor decided she needed to make a shift in her mindset. Instead of letting herself get stuck in the sadness of the situation, she focused on a more positive outlook. “I took a different approach,” she explained. “After my Achilles, I sat in my room and said, ‘Let me change my attitude.’ I didn’t want to be sad. I wanted to come back and be there for the team, and the team has my back now. Having the team to support me helped me change my mindset. I’m grateful for them.”

Konnor McClain’s support system

Konnor’s mindset shift worked wonders. Konnor recovered quickly and was able to get back on the mat faster than anyone expected. By the time LSU started their season against Iowa State,

she was already competing again on bars and beam. She did amazing by bagging a score of 9.80 on bars and a 9.825 on beam, which is seriously impressive considering where she was just a few months before.

Konnor didn’t do it alone. Her LSU teammates were right by her side through the whole process. The support she got from them was huge. It wasn’t just about competing together; it was the emotional boost they provided her with, keeping her grounded and pushing her to keep going even when things were tough. That team bond made all the difference for Konnor.

She amazes her LSU teammates with her determination and sheer will. “Konnor has been through so much, and watching her bounce back with so much strength and determination is truly inspiring,” Olivia Dunne said. “She’s a fighter, and we’re all so proud of her.” 

Apart from the physical recovery that Konnor had to go through; it’s the emotional side of things, too. Her teammates’ support was a huge factor in her early comeback to gymnastics. The encouragement they gave her, both on and off the mat, was miraculous. Hats off to Konnor’s determination to rule the game, she encapsulated the essence of a mindset shift, proving everyone who thought otherwise wrong, once again.