Olivia Dunne lamented how people discredited her efforts in an exclusive interview with Sports Illustrated’s The Money Issue in October last year. Those words rang true even after she won the 2024 NCAA Gymnastics Championship title with the Lady Tigers. While many congratulated the athlete, comments such as “Livvy Dunne doesn’t count as an athlete” also appeared.

However, the NCAA championship ring she just received from the LSU Tigers begs otherwise. In fact, the 21-year-old herself has changed how she approaches the online trolls. So while appearing in Best of Both Worlds with Flau’jae, Olivia Dunne called out those who couldn’t understand Jay Clark’s strategic reason behind benching her in the NCAA Championship finals. Dunne used it as the perfect counter to expose their double standards.

The 21-year-old called them out for the double standards, citing former LSU baseball star and her boyfriend Paul Skenes. Just like Livvy, Skenes didn’t play in the finals despite being the “best pitcher at LSU,” said Dunne. However, “nobody’s saying that to him. So I feel like, as a gymnast, people don’t really understand the sport, yet they have the audacity to say those things.“ Dunne told Flau’jae Johnson.

LSU baseball coach said they didn’t want to use Paul Skenes because he believed the team could handle Florida even without their star pitcher. Similarly, Jay Clark kept Olivia Dunne as a trump card. “My role on the team was like to step up when I needed to,” the gymnast clarified during the podcast. The only reason she didn’t compete in the finals was because LSU has 25 injury-free gymnasts to choose from.

The highest-valued female NIL athlete also debunked the “professional benchwarmer” comments that came her way after the NCAA Championship finals. Olivia Dunne explained that despite injuries, she competed at 10 out of 13 meets during the season. “I feel like it’s kind of me being a gymnast and people don’t understand the sport, that they have the audacity to say those things,” the gymnast added.

As Livvy’s fellow LSU athlete, the track and field star Flau’jee Johnson empathized and agreed with Dunne. In fact, Louisiana State formally recognized the 21-year-old for her contribution to their historic national title victory. Livvy Dunne earned the coach’s award for being ready to go in for the LSU Tigers at a moment’s notice. However, the gymnast has learned to block out the noise and has big plans!

Olivia Dunne has already planned year five at LSU and beyond

The 21-year-old college athlete qualified for a fifth year at LSU thanks to COVID-19 derailing her first. However, she has already planned beyond the 2025 competitive season with the LSU Tigers. While Livvy would love to compete in the NCAA finals this year, she has other goals beyond gymnastics. “I feel like [Sports Illustrated] is something that can last beyond college,” Olivia Dunne told the New York Post in an exclusive interview.

“I think that’s important, creating a substantial brand that will last post-college. And [SI Swim] is one of those,” added the gymnast. The NIL athlete made her Sports Illustrated Swimsuit debut in 2023 and hopes to continue that partnership well beyond her final year at LSU. However, money and NIL deals aren’t the only thing on the Lady Tigers star’s mind.

During the interview, Dunne expressed her desire to help girls navigate their way through gymnastics and create their brand. “I’ve always loved sports. So definitely something in the sports realm,” Livvy said during the interview. So, while the trolls continue to comment on her social media, this is the response they’ll get as Olivia Dunne prepares to move on to the next chapter of her career.