Skye Blakely, a 19-year-old gymnast, will not be able to compete in the U.S. women’s Olympic trials due to a right Achilles injury she suffered during a training session. USA Gymnastics confirmed the injury the day before the start of the trials, where Blakely was expected to be a strong contender for a spot on the team after placing second to Simone Biles in the U.S. Championships.
Blakely, who lives and trains in Frisco, Texas, experienced the injury while practicing her floor exercise routine at Target Center. She had to be assisted off the podium and evaluated while in tears. This isn’t the first time Blakely has faced a setback due to an injury, as she had previously torn a ligament in her elbow during the 2021 U.S. Olympic trials. She has spoken about her mental health struggles following that injury and how she was able to overcome them with the help of a mental health professional.
Now, with Blakely out of the running, there are only 15 athletes vying for a spot on the five-woman U.S. team. Despite the setback, the team is still expected to be a strong contender for a gold medal at the upcoming Olympics in Paris.