Former LSU gymnast Olivia Dunne revealed in a recent podcast interview that she suffered a severe injury that effectively ended her Olympic dreams, with part of her ankle bone ‘dying’ in the process. This incident occurred during the 2018 USA Championships when she competed on a hurt ankle, leading to the irreversible damage to her ankle bone. Despite this setback, Dunne chose to heal naturally without surgery, a decision that is uncommon among gymnasts. This injury also affected her final year at LSU, where she was a key player in the team’s national championship in 2024.
Dunne, who is known for her high social media following with over 8 million followers on TikTok and 5.4 million on Instagram, has been actively involved in various ventures, including cheering on her boyfriend, Paul Skenes, as he makes his mark in the Major League Baseball with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Her journey through gymnastics, both at the collegiate level and beyond, highlights the challenges she has faced, including the significant impact of the 2018 injury on her career trajectory. Dunne’s decision to forgo surgery and her resilience in the face of a career-threatening injury have garnered attention and admiration, illustrating her determination and uniqueness in the world of elite sports.