Emma Spence has always been around sports growing up. Her great-grandmother, Mary Vandervliet, represented Canada in the 100m at the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics. Even her sister Abby has been an elite gymnast. So, it’s no surprise the 21-year-old wanted to carve her own path in gymnastics. And she did! The 2023 Co-Regional Gymnast of the Year racked up several accolades throughout her illustrious career. But she’s now ready to move on to bigger things.

On October 7, the 2022 World Championships bronze medalist shared a carousel of images from throughout the years on Instagram. But her heartwarming note in the caption caught everyone’s attention. “After 8 years on the Canadian National Team & representing Canada on the international stage, it’s time for me to retire elite gymnastics,” she stated.

Emma Spence started competing in 2016. However, the gymnast turned heads during the 2018 Elite Canada. The 21-year-old clinched 3 golds on the floor, bars, and all-around, along with a bronze on the vault. She even snagged a shiny bronze on the vault at the 2018 Buenos Aires Youth Olympic Games. In fact, the gymnast was Canada’s flagbearer for the closing ceremony. The First-Team All-Big Ten continued, “I was fortunate to compete in 11 countries & 5 continents, making history for Canada multiple times.” She reiterates how the highs and lows helped her grow and come out stronger.

The 2018 Canadian Championships Silver Medalist expresses gratitude for the past 8 years before giving her incredible support system a much-needed shoutout. She finally ends her note with, “Here’s to one last year of NCAA gymnastics! 🤸‍♀️” The University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the Cornhuskers have played an integral role in the gymnast’s journey.

Even though Emma Spence spent most of her life in Ontario, she made the big move to the States in 2021 because of the strength of their program. This is where her passion and love for the sport grew tenfold. The 21-year-old had previously stated how she wasn’t having fun with competitions before entering collegiate gymnastics. However, seeing how it was far more relaxed, she decided to keep that mindset going into the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham—her first international competition after over 2 long years. But while she’s ready to move, how do the fans feel about it?

The gymnastics community is in awe of Emma Spence after her surprising announcement

In June this year, the gymnast revealed that she initially planned on retiring in 2022, the same year she returned to elite gymnastics. For her, ending her career by enjoying the experience of a competition was essential. However, the 2022 World Gymnastics Championships changed her mind, and she continued to compete in collegiate and elite gymnastics. The gymnast reiterated that she had achieved more than she thought would be possible. But it’s time for her to take one final bow.

2020 European Championships bronze medalist Bácskay Csenge exclaimed, “So proud of you! Will never forget us standing on the podium together at YOG 🤍” During the 2018 Buenos Aires Youth Olympic Games, the duo locked horns during the vault finals. . While Emma Spence’s score of 13.483 clinched a shiny bronze, Csenge settled for a second-place finish with 13.933.

A fan proudly stated, “What a career! Forever a Worlds medalist who made history. Canada is so, so proud of you and I can’t wait for your senior season at Nebraska! ❤️” On November 1, 2022, Team Canada clinched their first-ever medal at the FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships.

Another fan agreed, “You are amazing. Such an inspiration to so many young girls. Keep smiling 👏👏👏” They clinched a shiny bronze in the women’s team final after scoring 160.563 behind the United States and Great Britain. Elyse Hopfner-Hibbs was the last Canadian to snag a bronze in 2006.

2023 Pan American Games bronze medalist Ava Stewart expressed her gratitude, “Im so grateful to have competed with you Emma! You’ve been such an example for me in my career. Good luck for this coming year and for all future ambitions👏❤️” Steward qualified for her first Olympic berth at the Japanese capital. On the other hand, Emma Spencer qualified as an alternate. However, throughout their careers, the two gymnasts have constantly crossed paths.

A member of Team Canada couldn’t help but sing her praises, “I had a blast travelling the world with you! You are such a force Emma and had a career that cemented you as one of the most accomplished Canadian gymnasts of all time! A two-time Olympic alternate, part of Canada’s only World Team medal and Canada’s only first Youth Olympic gymnastics medalists! BRAVO 👏🏻” Emma Spence qualified as a non-traveling athlete for the 2024 Paris Olympics. But even though she didn’t contest in the French capital, her accolades over the years speak volumes! What do you think about her surprise announcement?