“Devastated”: Skye Blakely’s US Olympic Trials Curse Continues as Last-Minute Injury Has Gymnastics Community Weeping

In 2021, the gymnastics community watched in shock as Skye Blakely experienced a devastating fall during her one-touch warm-up on Day 1 of the US Olympic Trials. This unexpected accident forced her to withdraw from the day’s competition, dashing her hopes of making the Olympic team.

Fast forward to 2024, and heartbreak has struck once again. Among the 16 gymnasts who qualified to compete at the U.S. Olympic Gymnastics Trials in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Skye Blakely is widely regarded as a strong contender for one of the coveted spots on Team USA. With the competition set to begin this weekend, her Olympic dreams seemed within reach. Tragically, those dreams took a significant hit on Wednesday, leaving the gymternet weeping.

During podium training, Blakely suffered an injury that left her Olympic aspirations in jeopardy. A post on X by Inside Gymnastics revealed, “Skye Blakely injured on double layout pass in podium training – had to be carried out. Very tough for an athlete who has endured so much and battled back from previous injury at Tokyo Olympic Trials.”

The injury occurred while Blakely was training on the floor exercise, specifically during a tumbling pass known as a double layout. After landing the pass, she received immediate medical attention and was eventually removed from the floor via wheelchair. This latest setback has left the gymnastics community reeling with heartbreak and immense sympathy for an athlete who has endured so much adversity.

Fans took to X to express their disbelief and sorrow for the 19-year-old Skye Blakely. One fan shared, “Skye Blakely injured herself at podium training, worst news I received all day.” Another wrote, “Someone please tell me Skye Blakely just has a leg cramp or something.” Another heartbroken fan shared, “So f****ng devastated for Skye Blakely 😭😭😭” While another shared, “Konnor McClain and Skye Blakely twinning together after getting injured by a double layout! Gymnastics is cruel y’all lawd,” referencing McClain’s significant setback. McClain suffered a brutal Achilles tendon injury after the initial rotation at the Core Hydration Classic, requiring her to be wheeled out of the XL Center arena.

After rupturing her UCL ligament during the 2021 US Olympic trials at just 15 years old, Skye Blakely underwent a seven-month recovery before making a successful return at the 2022 Winter Cup. She went on to join the last two U.S. world championship teams, both of which claimed gold. As fans await updates on the situation and hope to see Skye Blakely compete for a spot on Team USA’s roster for the Paris Olympics, let’s see other gymnasts entering the US Olympic trials who may not be at their peak performance.

Other gymnastics stars, like Skye Blakely, are also facing challenges ahead of the US Olympic trials

Before the U.S. Olympic trials kicked off in Minneapolis on Friday, Skye Blakely and two other gymnasts were grappling with health issues. Suni Lee, the reigning all-around Olympic champion, has been battling kidney disease for over 18 months. She felt ill during training on Wednesday, but her coach, Jess Graba, assured everyone it wouldn’t hold her back from the trials. Jess Garba shared, “She was a little nauseous this morning. She’s fine. She got her assignment done. I was like, ‘You don’t need to keep going. Just be done.'”

Lee faced challenges with her kidneys that kept her out of competition for most of 2023. Despite this, she came into the trials after a strong performance at the U.S. Championships, where she impressed in the all-around, especially on uneven bars and balance beam.

Apart from Suni, Shilese Jones, a strong contender on Team USA, just behind Simone Biles, has also had a few bumps on her road to Paris. She withdrew from the U.S. Championships due to a minor tear in her labrum on the day it was supposed to start earlier this month. She successfully appealed to participate in the trials and took a week off to rest before building up again for a shot at making the Olympic team.

Sarah Korngold, Jones’ coach, shared that Jones is feeling pretty good going into the trials. The main concern now is building up her routine endurance with more practice repetitions. Jones has been managing her shoulder issue on and off for two years, with the recent setback described as a “flare-up.” Her coach shared, “Hopefully she’s proven enough to the selection committee that she does build fitness quickly and she does get in ‘routine shape’ fairly fast and we have more time (until Paris).”

Alicia Sacramone Quinn from USA Gymnastics, part of the selection committee, emphasized that the team selection on Sunday night will be based on who the top five athletes are, not who might be ready in time for the women’s qualifiers in Paris on July 28. So, as these top contenders gear up for the main competition, fans and supporters are hoping they’re all in peak form when it counts. What are your thoughts on these updates coming from Minneapolis ahead of the trials? Share in the comments below!