During the 2020 U.S. Olympic trials, a crucial mistake almost had her bid adieu to her Olympic debut. But, Kayla DiCello still made it to the 2020 Summer Games as an alternate. Despite being on the national team, the 2021 U.S. floor exercise silver medalist felt like she could’ve done more. “I wasn’t satisfied with that.”

While she was unsure about her return for the second time, DiCello believed she had some unfinished business. Keeping this in mind, she has worked on training hard and focusing on her ultimate goal: the 2024 Paris Olympics. With her recent performances at the Core Hydration Classics and Xfinity Games, Kayla DiCello has emerged as one of the promising gymnasts vying for a spot in the French Capital. How will she fare at the upcoming trials? 

Kayla DiCello’s captivating performances bring her one step closer to Paris

Her return from the 2020 Summer Games left her reeling for another go at the Big Games. “I decided really late that I wanted to come back”, she told Olympics.com. She changed her approach and decided that going back to her home gym in Maryland was what she needed right now. She expressed, “That’s when I called Kelli, and I asked her, ‘Can you come out of retirement and coach me?” Her longtime coach, Kelli Hill helped her create a training environment keeping her needs in mind. 

This strategic decision came into play when DiCello decided to compete at the Core Hydration Classic. She was up against corps d’elite like Simone Biles and Suni Lee. Coming off her clinching the all-around title at the Winter Cup, Dicello was looking to leave a lasting impression. She captivated everyone and secured T10th with an impressive score of 52.50. Her stellar performance on the uneven bars caught everyone’s eye. This was an event she had been working on upgrading extensively. 

She continued to impress at the Xfinity U.S. Championships. Her stunning performance on the bars resulted in a 14.500. But it was her overall performances that secured third place in the all-around competition. She shared the podium with Simone Biles and Skye Blakely. 

By consistently putting her best foot forward, DiCello proved that she deserved a spot on the national team. It also showcased that she meant business and could perform under pressure, something that will come in handy on the grand stage in Paris. 

Preparing for her second run in the Summer Games

Despite being unsure after Tokyo, she wanted one more shot at Olympic glory. DiCello decided to take a gap year from her collegiate career and decided to put all her focus on elite gymnastics. After rigorous training and several international competitions, she bore the fruits of all her hard work. DiCello played a pivotal role in Team USA clinching gold at the 2023 American Games, winning the individual all-around title herself.

But with a strong need to do better, came the dangers of eventually burning out. DiCello expressed, “I used to just never want to stop and just keep going.” She decided to listen to her body and would work on strengthening both her physical and mental skills. DiCello also wanted to make sure she was prepared to move from collegiate to elite gymnastics. Her coach, Kelli Hill, helped her make this transition smoother. DiCello got the chance to showcase her skill at the 2023 U.S. Championships. Her stellar performance helped her clinch the all-around silver medal. It also showcased her ability to perform at the highest level post her transition. 

Despite facing a minor injury during her 2023 season, DiCello ensured she took a much-needed break before she got back to her intense training. Throughout, she had just one goal in mind: to enhance her craft and give her all at the Olympic Trials. She stated, “It was a tough decision, but I knew I had to give everything if I wanted to stand on that podium.” She even worked with a sports psychologist to help manage the pressures of her Olympic aspirations. 

Her fortitude came through at the 2024 Winter Cup. She consistently stunned fans with her stellar performances on the floor exercise, the vault, the uneven bars, and the balance beam. With an overall score of 56.850, DiCello walked away victorious with the all-around title and her head held high.

Kayla DiCello’s journey has had several hurdles, but she doesn’t look like she will be slowing down any time soon. “I know that this is something I want to do, so I’m going to push for it.” She only has eyes for the French Capital, and we might be in for a treat at the Olympic Trials from June 27th to 30th 2024. As she continues to climb her way to the top, one thing is for certain: She will be looking to secure a spot on Team USA. Will you be watching? Let us know in the comments below.