Kayla DiCello suffers Achilles injury, out of USA Gymnastics Olympic Trials
Kayla DiCello suffered an Achilles injury during competition at the USA Gymnastics Olympic Trials on Friday evening, just two days before the U.S. women’s team is to be named for Paris 2024.
The 20-year-old balked on her vault during the first rotation, immediately sitting down and shaking her head. She was grabbing at her ankle. She was then carried off the podium and taken off the field of play in a wheelchair, visibly emotional.
“Thank you so much for all your love and support,” DiCello said on social media. “Unfortunately, I ruptured my achilles on the opening event at Olympic Trials. While this is not the result I envisioned, there’s so much to be proud of.
“Years of tireless work and dedication in the gym with the dream of representing my country once more at the Olympic Games. Pushing myself to go after new skills, new dreams. There is so much to be thankful for, too.
“To my coaches, my gym teammates, my family, my friends, and my supporters: I am so thankful for everything you’ve done for me. It truly takes a village to get to this point, and your support throughout good days and bad has been something I’ve leaned on more than you know.
“As I begin my healing journey, I’m thankful for your prayers and good wishes. This is not the end of my story.”
USA Gymnastics confirmed DiCello’s injury later that evening. She is out of trials and will not contend for the Paris team as Achilles injuries are serious and can take up to a year to recover from.
Heading into trials, DiCello was a contender to make the five-woman team. She was an alternate for the 2023 World team that won gold and won the all-around title at the Pan American Games and Winter Cup within the past year. DiCello announced after her freshman season at Florida in 2023 that she would be deferring to train for the Games.
