Olivia Dunne did not receive an invitation to join Team USA at the Olympics. LSU’s star gymnast was not selected to compete in Paris next month.
She was snubbed!
Dunne, who just wrapped up her senior year in Baton Rouge, is still deciding whether she will return to college for her fifth and final season of college gymnastics eligibility. In the meantime, many of her friends will travel to France as representatives of the United States at the Olympics without her.
This year’s team was announced last week:
- Simone Biles
- Suni Lee
- Jordan Chiles
- Jade Carey
- Hezley Rivera
- Joscelyn Roberson, alternate
- Leanne Wong, alternate
Although Dunne was not selected, it was never a legitimate possibility. Not only did she miss a large chunk of the season due to injury, she was not eligible. Team USA did not invite her to the Trials and the qualifications were not met. That part of Dunne’s career is in the past anyway.
I don’t think I’m going to try for the Olympics or anything after [college], since I once competed for Team USA and I closed that chapter and went to LSU.
– Olivia Dunne, via New York Post
Even though the Olympics are not in the picture, Dunne is still a very talented gymnast. She averaged a 9.857 on floor and a 9.838 on bars in nine meets last season. Her performance on senior night was dominant.
However, as easy as the top gymnasts make their sport look, it is remarkably difficult. That isn’t a secret. Gymnastics is incredibly hard.
Dunne proved that point while responding to her Team USA snub in jest. She shared a video of her funniest falls and biggest fails to do so. Some of them are pretty brutal!
Olivia Dunne may or may not return to the Tigers next year. Either way, the idea of competing for Team USA at the Olympics in 2028 is not one that she is entertaining.
It doesn’t make sense from a logistical standpoint and the self-depreciating video of her struggles proves that it was the right decision!