Skye Blakely suffers right Achilles injury, out of USA Gymnastics Olympic Trials

Skye Blakely suffered a right Achilles injury during podium training at the USA Gymnastics Olympic Trials on Wednesday afternoon, just four days before the U.S. women’s team is to be named for Paris 2024.

The 19-year-old fell to the floor after a full-twisting double layout and was immediately tended to by medical staff. She was then carried off the podium and taken off the field of play in a wheelchair with her face in her hands, visibly emotional.

USA Gymnastics confirmed Blakely’s injury Thursday morning ahead of women’s competition beginning Friday. 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.

“Unfortunately, I ruptured my Achilles during podium training,” Blakely said on social media. “This is not the way I saw my Olympic Trials going or how my season ends. I’m going to keep my chin high and be proud of the statement I have made for myself these past couple years. I’ll be back.”

She also shared a clarification Friday, “To clear up any confusion on my injury: it was not the same Achilles that had been giving me trouble. During the set of my double lay full, I felt my Achilles tear. Thank you for all the love that has been sent my way.”

Heading into trials, Blakely was projected to make the five-woman team. She’s been a member of the past two World teams that won gold, contributing on bars and beam – her best two events. She brought an upgraded Cheng vault to the U.S. championships earlier this month and went on to win silver in the all-around and on vault and bronze on bars and beam, seemingly locking up a spot on the team barring something of this nature happening.

Prior to the injury during podium training Wednesday, Blakely looked outstanding across all four events, showing clean routines, stuck landings on her dismounts, and the confidence of a potential Olympian.

At Olympic Trials in 2021, Blakely was injured on vault before the meet began. She was 16 at the time and not expected to make the team.