June 28, (THEWILL) – Skye Blakely, a 19-year-old gymnast from Texas and two-time team world champion, has withdrawn from the US Olympic gymnastics trials due to a ruptured Achilles tendon.
The injury occurred during podium training at the Target Centre trials venue on Wednesday, just one month before the start of the gymnastics competition in Paris.
USA Gymnastics confirmed Blakely’s withdrawal in a statement on Thursday morning. The gymnast later posted on X, expressing her disappointment about missing the Olympics: “Unfortunately I ruptured my achilles during podium training. This is not the way I saw my Olympic trials going or how my season ends.”
The incident unfolded during Blakely’s floor exercise routine when she fell to the mat after completing a tumbling pass. Medical staff attended to her before she was carried off the podium and left the arena in a wheelchair. This setback comes as a significant blow to Blakely, who recently finished as runner-up to Simone Biles at the US championships in Fort Worth, Texas.
The US Olympic team trials, which will select five men and five women for the Paris Games, commenced on Thursday, with men’s competition. The women’s field of 15, led by Simone Biles, is set to compete on Friday and Sunday. Blakely’s absence will undoubtedly impact the competitive landscape of the trials.
This injury echoes a similar experience for Blakely in 2021 when she had to withdraw from the Tokyo Olympic trials due to an injury sustained during warm-up. Despite this setback, Blakely remains optimistic, stating: “I’m going to keep my chin high and be proud of the statement I have made for myself these past couple of years. I’ll be back.”
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
