Evita Griskenas is hungry for more after competing at her second Olympic Games

PARIS – Inside Porte de La Chapelle Arena on the 16th day of competition at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Evita Griskenas finished her ribbon routine and blew a kiss – but not to the crowd.

“God – it was to God,” Griskenas said after concluding competition at her second Olympic Games, where she finished 18th in the individual all-around. “… Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen, and that’s been a big leading factor for me. And so I have a whole lot of faith in his plan and what’s to come next. And I know that there’s more.”

Although Griskenas wasn’t able to replicate her 12th place finish from three years ago in Tokyo, it’s a feat in itself that she was able to qualify and make it to Paris, and as the sole American rhythmic gymnast no less.

The 23-year-old was doubted when she decided to attend Columbia while training for a second Games. She started attending classes in person after Tokyo, already a sophomore after a year of virtual school, and spent the past three years balancing the pursuit of a psychology degree in New York City and training in Chicago. The art of travel and the weekly dance between cities was a new challenge she had to master, but master it Griskenas did – she graduated with her degree in May.

The challenge she didn’t plan for was a broken foot that would happen at the most inopportune time: while trying to earn an Olympic berth. Still, Griskenas qualified at the Pan American Games in November despite the injury that happened early in the summer of 2023 not being fully healed. She spent the winter in a boot, getting around with the help of a knee scooter – “I don’t recommend that in New York in the winter” – and focusing on cross-training and physical therapy. While her competitors figured out their routines for the Olympic year in the early fall, Griskenas had to wait to figure out what hers would be in February. Ultimately, her and her coach, Natalia Klimouk, decided to take a risk and do four new routines – a risk that Griskenas said was worth it after finishing her Olympics Thursday.

“It means living in an answered prayer – many prayers,” Griskenas said of what it meant to get to this point, after more than a year of uncertainty and many trying moments.

Of course, Griskenas wasn’t fully satisfied with her performance Thursday. She wishes she could’ve done “just that little bit more” – a missed catch here, an incorrect toss there – but the emotion and intent were still there, producing powerful performances that resonated with the crowd.

When asked how it feels to be a two-time Olympian, Griskenas’ answer was immediate.

“Hungry,” Griskenas answered. “But not for food – like a soul hunger. I want more, and I want to be able to really dedicate more time and really hone the craft, and I want to perform in front of a home crowd like no tomorrow.”

Yes, Griskenas means LA 2028.

She left the carpet already determined to become the first three-time Olympian in rhythmic gymnastics for the United States. For the foreseeable future, the only balancing she’ll be doing is in her routines.

“I do want to pursue a PhD in my future, but there’s no rush for that,” Griskenas shared. “So long as I have the support that I do both financially and physically and emotionally from those around me, I think I’ll be able to continue [competing].”

Griskenas’ mom promised her a kitten if she qualified for the Olympics, but she wants to wait until she’s living on her own to welcome the new addition. She hopes that her eldest cat, a 15-year-old exotic shorthair named Princess Jasmine (“Jazzy” for short), will be with her until LA. The mom and cat duo have had similar struggles recently, both persevering after a period when they struggled to walk. Maybe they can continue to mirror each other, with Griskenas enjoying a successful quad that culminates in a home Olympics and Jazzy enjoying her glory days with her favorite person.

After all, what’s another four years?