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Sports can be so, incredibly, cruel. It goes just beyond the agony of defeat, as sometimes athletes or teams have worked a lifetime to achieve their goals, only to suffer a poorly-timed setback. Unfortunately, USA National Team gymnast Skye Blakely reminded all of us of that unfortunate fact.
Blakely had a fantastic USA Gymnastics Championships in Fort Worth earlier this month that put her in prime position to make the five-person USA Women’s Artistic Gymnastics Olympic Team that will be named at the conclusion of the Olympic Trials on Sunday.
But, disaster struck for Skye Blakely and Team USA on Wednesday. Blakely was at Podium Training, which in gymnastics is basically an opportunity a a day or two before a big meet to get used to unfamiliar equipment, ceilings, etc. More or less, it’s a walk-through where gymnasts will perform their full routines in the venue for the first time.
Blakely was going through her floor routine when she injured her Achilles performing a double layout, a skill that sees gymnasts do a round-off back handspring into the air, and flip twice while keeping their body in a vertical position. On Thursday, USA Gymnastics confirmed that she would miss the Olympic Trials, and, in turn, the Olympic Games.
That’s a huge blow for not just Skye Blakely, but for Team USA. Simone Biles is a lock, and two-time World All-Around medalist Shilese Jones is back from a minor injury and is almost certain to make it. Blakely was looking like the third most-likely gymnast to make it as someone who can contribute on all four events.
Now, It muddies the picture even more. 2020 Tokyo All-Around Champion Suni Lee probably makes it with a good meet now, and 2020 team member Jordan Chiles could benefit from this terrible injury. Outside of those two, athletes like reigning Olympic floor champion Jade Carey, Leanne Wong, and Kayla DiCello have an increased chance of making the team now.
To me, the sleeper is youngster Hezley Rivera. The sport used to be dominated by high-schoolers, but not anymore. She’s a throwback to that era, as she just turned sixteen-years-old and is improving quickly.
All that being said, thoughts go out to Skye Blakely. Sports are so cruel sometimes.