Major Upset for Skye Blakely As Podium Injury Crushes Her Paris Olympics Dream

Just a day before the Olympic Trials began, 19-year-old Olympic hopeful Skye Blakely faced a setback with a right Achilles injury, forcing her to withdraw. This unfortunate injury has sidelined her from the competition, causing her to miss a pivotal opportunity to represent her homeland at the City of Love. Blakely sustained the injury while practicing a double back layout on floor exercise.

Blakely’s luck took a turn, for the worse, when things were looking up. She had a second-place finish at the U.S. National Championships, making her a top contender for her debut on the team and a potential gold medalist on the balance beam.

Blakely left a lasting impact at the U.S. Gymnastics Championships, in Fort Worth, Texas securing the position in the all around competition closely trailing behind Simone Biles. She showcased a vault known as the Cheng, which includes a half twist onto the vault table followed by a laid-out flip, with 1  1/2 twists.

This vault, known for its difficulty, earned Blakely a significant score of 15.000 on the first night of competition, marking her first-ever 15. She repeated the Cheng on the second night, scoring 14.400. These performances set her apart and greatly enhanced her chances of securing one of the coveted spots on the Olympic team heading to Paris.

A versatile all-around gymnast known for her prowess on the balance beam, Blakely has cemented her reputation as a two-time world champion, playing a crucial role in securing gold medals for the U.S. team in both 2022 and 2023. Sadly, this setback is not Blakely’s first encounter with a significant injury on America’s premier gymnastics platform.

Can Skye Blakely overcome adversity once again?

Skye Blakely faced a devastating setback during the 2021 U.S. Olympic Trials when she withdrew after sustaining a UCL tear during a warm-up vault. This injury, occurring on the first day of competition, marked a significant challenge in her career. At just 16 years old at the time, Blakely described the aftermath as a “low point,” grappling with both physical recovery and mental health struggles.

Fast forward to 2024, and Blakely, now a seasoned competitor with multiple medals to her name, found herself in a vastly different position. Leading up to this year’s Trials, she was considered a strong favorite to secure one of the five spots on the Paris Olympic team. However, her withdrawal has now opened opportunities for alternate athletes like Suni Lee, Jordan Chiles, Leanne Wong, and Kayla DiCello, all of whom were also vying for top all-around finishes.

But Skye’s spirit will surely see her through. We eagerly anticipate seeing her elegant and precise gymnastics moves once again, whether in future international competitions or as part of her journey with the University of Florida’s gymnastics program.