Skye Blakely was a leading contender to represent the United States in gymnastics at the 2024 Paris Olympics. However, an ill-timed training injury just days before Team USA’s Olympic trials has derailed those hopes.
Blakely sustained an Achilles injury while preparing for the trials on Wednesday. The injury was severe enough that she had to be carried off the floor, casting serious doubt on her ability to participate in the final Olympic qualifying event.
Here’s the latest on Blakely’s injury and its potential impact on Team USA moving forward.
Skye Blakely injury update
Skye Blakely is officially out of the 2024 Olympic trials due to the Achilles injury she sustained on Wednesday. USA Gymnastics broke the unfortunate news in a social media post on Thursday.
Given the severity of Blakely’s injury, her exclusion from the trials isn’t exactly shocking. She was carried off the floor by medical staff and later wheeled out of the facility with her head in her hands, according to the Washington Post. This clearly signaled a serious setback.
Blakely’s absence means she won’t have a shot at qualifying for the 2024 Summer Games. The Olympic Selection Committee has strict rules, only allowing petitions for gymnasts dealing with illnesses or “extenuating circumstances,” as noted by the Washington Post.
This is a tough blow for Team USA, as Blakely was a leading contender for the Olympic squad. She had just secured second place in the all-around at the U.S. Gymnastics Championships earlier in June. Her performance there had positioned her as a top favorite to join Simone Biles and Shilese Jones as one of the team’s best all-around gymnasts, thanks to her consistency across all four apparatuses.
Blakely needed a solid showing at the Olympic trials to secure her spot on the roster. Instead, she will now focus on recovery while Team USA scrambles to fill the gap in their five-woman roster for the Paris Games. It’s a tough pill to swallow, but Blakely’s resilience and dedication will be key in her comeback journey.
Who could replace Skye Blakely on Team USA’s roster?
The good news for Team USA is that it has a deep bench to draw from in replacing Skye Blakely. Three all-around competitors stand out and could emerge as the frontrunners for the final spot on the team at the Olympic trials.
Here’s a closer look at each option:
Kayla DiCello DiCello, who was an alternate for the 2021 Olympics, seems like the natural choice to step in for Blakely. The 22-year-old posted the third-best all-around score at the 2024 U.S. Championships, showcasing a well-rounded skill set. She scored at least 13.850 points in seven of her eight events, with her only hiccup being a 12.600 in her second attempt on the uneven bars.
Notably, DiCello secured second place overall in the floor exercise, an event where Team USA could use extra strength. Her performance aligns well with the team’s needs, especially with Suni Lee’s expertise on the beam and bars. While DiCello needs to deliver a strong performance at the Olympic trials, she currently stands as the frontrunner to replace Blakely.
Jordan Chiles The big question is whether Chiles will make the five-woman team for the 2024 Olympics. Chiles, who has Olympic experience, has been posting solid results lately. She finished third at the Core Hydration Classic and fifth at the U.S. Championships in the all-around competition, demonstrating her potential for a second Olympic team appearance.
Chiles excels on the uneven bars, which could be a significant advantage. With Suni Lee recently returning to this apparatus after dealing with a kidney disease, Chiles could serve as a top-notch backup. She’ll need to shine at the Olympic trials, but she’s neck-and-neck with DiCello for the final spot. Although DiCello might have a slight edge now, Chiles has the talent to change the game.
Leanne Wong Wong, a star college gymnast, has achieved perfect 10s eight times at Florida across all four disciplines, showcasing her versatile talent.
| Discipline | No. of perfect 10s (at Florida) |
|---|---|
| Uneven bars | 4 |
| Balance beam | 2 |
| Vault | 1 |
| Floor exercise | 1 |
Wong’s consistency and high baseline performance make her a strong candidate, despite her eighth-place all-around finish at the U.S. Championships. She’ll need to outshine DiCello and Chiles to secure a spot on Team USA. Her best events are the bars and beam, but these are also Suni Lee’s strong suits. To make a compelling case for herself, Wong must excel on the vault or floor.
Team USA’s depth ensures they have strong contenders ready to step up, and the Olympic trials will be a thrilling battle for the final roster spot.
