US Gymnast Skye Blakely Was Forced To Doubt Paris Olympics 2024 After Tokyo Heartbreak: “Wouldn’t Have Believed”

Sometimes life throws compelling twists of fate at us; other times, we create them. Either way, our choices shape the individuals we become. The same resonates with Skye Blakely, who has been striving to secure a berth to represent Team USA at the Olympics. In an unexpected turn, the teen gymnast initially found herself eligible for the delayed 2020 Tokyo Games when it became age-eligible.

However, disappointment set in when she was unable to compete in the Olympic trials due to an injury. Blakely used her 2021 setback to advance; this Olympic season, she competed in the 2024 Winter Cup, followed by the most recent Core Hydration Classic. As the Paris Olympics of 2024 approach, Blakely shines as an example of resilience, but she also recognizes the dark clouds of self-doubt that once shadowed her confidence.

Skye Blakely keeps up with consistency in gymnastics trudging along

Before the event started, Blakely had to withdraw from the 2021 U.S. Olympic trials after her elbow’s UCL ligament tore. After a seven-month recovery, she made a comeback to the gymnastics mats at the 2022 Winter Cup. Blakely sought help from a sports psychologist and her parents to improve her mental health. In her recent interview with Olympic.com, Blakely shared, “I’d say after I got hurt, I wouldn’t have believed I would have gone to two worlds and been back here [in an Olympic year] again.”

Blakely is once again vying for a spot on the US squad for Paris, having missed out on her debut by inches. She got back to work for her dream one year after the big upset; At the 2022 World Championships, Blakely qualified for the balance beam final and was a key member of the American team that won the gold medal, where the team also won the team event with an unprecedented sixth straight gold medal. Before competing in the 2022 Pan American Championships, she assisted Team USA win gold at the DTB Cup, where she won bronze for floor exercises, silver for the team, and silver for the all-around.

Blakely was a part of the strong golden team of Team USA in 2023 again. She competed on uneven bars during the team final, which helped Team USA win the World team title for the seventh time in a row. “I’d say in 2021, it was kind of a surprise, just not sure, just going to go with the flow. But now, I feel like I’m a little more determined this year,” she stated with confidence when asked about a chance to pursue the ultimate Paris Games goal.

Road to Paris 2024 of Skye Blakely burns brighter than ever

Frisco’s Skye Blakely got off to a great start at the 2024 Winter Cup in February, winning a silver medal in the all-around event. She had one of her toughest tests to date in May at the Core Hydration Classic, where she finished fifth in the all-around competition. Blakely also secured Nike’s list of all-star brand ambassadors further highlighting her resolve. She’s already making her impact on the sports world and is definitely a potential Olympic debut. Her goal was always to make her first Olympic team, which also made her freshman year at the University of Florida in 2020-21. Later, she went back to WOGA Frisco’s co-owner and her coach Yevgeny Marchenko, and has been training there since.

Blakely will compete once more in 2024, which is scheduled for May 30 to June 2, at the Xfinity U.S. Gymnastics Championships before making it to the U.S. Olympic Trials. Skye Blakely’s journey is an ode to the unwavering pursuit behind an athlete, making her one of the gymnastics favorites at the Paris Olympics.