Reports this week have indicated that Olympic hopeful Skye Blakely encountered a leg injury while training in Minneapolis. The incident occurred while the 19-year-old gymnast was practicing her floor exercise routine, specifically during a tumbling pass where she landed short, resulting in the injury.
Witnesses mentioned that Blakely required assistance to leave the training area and was eventually taken away in a wheelchair. Her emotional reaction to the injury was evident, with reports stating that she was visibly upset and in tears at the time of the incident.
Notably, U.S. gymnastics official Chellsie Memmel was observed offering support to Blakely's coaches during this challenging moment.
Blakely, who has been a prominent figure in the gymnastics world, was considered a strong contender for a spot on the Team USA gymnastics roster for the upcoming Olympics in Paris. She had recently placed second behind the renowned Simone Biles at the U.S. championships in June and had been part of the gold-winning U.S. teams in the last two world championships.
However, Blakely's history with injuries is a concern, as she missed the opportunity to compete in the previous Olympic trials due to an injury before the Tokyo Games. The timing of this latest setback, just before the Olympic trials scheduled to commence this week, raises uncertainties about her participation in the selection process for the national team.
The Olympic trials are set to begin on Friday, with the final team roster expected to be announced on Sunday. The gymnastics community awaits official updates on Blakely's condition and her prospects for competing in the upcoming trials and potentially securing a spot on the Olympic team.
