The 19-year-old finished second to Simone Biles at the U.S. Championships and was a near-lock for the Paris team.
The lead-up to the U.S. Olympic gymnastics trials in Minneapolis took a heartbreaking turn after one of the top contenders for the women’s Olympic team was injured during podium training. Skye Blakely, 19, from Texas, ruptured her right Achilles tendon and will not compete in the trials, USA Gymnastics confirmed Thursday.
Blakely had been having an excellent training session on Wednesday, but during her floor exercise, disaster struck. She was injured while performing a double layout and had to be carried off the floor with her face in her hands. She was then wheeled out of the arena by medical staff.
Blakely had been considered a near-lock for the Paris Olympic team after finishing second to Simone Biles at the U.S. Championships in Fort Worth earlier this month. Her recent debut of the Cheng vault, a valuable and high-difficulty skill, had further strengthened her chances of earning a spot on Team USA.
In an Instagram post following the injury, Blakely described the unfortunate event as “unavoidable,” expressing her disappointment. The injury has dashed her hopes of competing in the upcoming Olympic Games and adds to the list of heartbreaks that gymnasts often face leading up to such a high-stakes competition.
Fans and fellow gymnasts alike have expressed their support for Blakely, who had already demonstrated immense talent and promise. As the trials continue, her absence leaves a gap in the competition, and the gymnastics world watches closely to see how the remaining athletes will rise to the challenge.
This injury serves as a stark reminder of the physical toll that elite gymnastics can take on athletes, particularly during the intense final moments leading up to an Olympic selection. Despite this setback, Blakely’s future in the sport remains bright, and many are hopeful that she will return stronger in the years to come.
