Gymnast Skye Blakely will miss this week’s Olympic Trials after rupturing her right Achilles in practice Wednesday.
Blakely, 19, sustained the injury while practicing on floor exercise at the trials venue in Minneapolis, according to reporters on site.
“This is not the way I saw my Olympic trials going or how my season ends,” was posted on Blakely’s social media. “I’m devastated and heartbroken but I believe everything happens for a reason. I was so close to reaching my dream but this injury was unavoidable. I had an amazing season that I am extremely grateful for.”
Blakely was the all-around silver medalist at the Xfinity U.S. Championships four weeks ago, putting her in strong contention to make her first Olympic team at the time.
At the Tokyo Olympic Trials, Blakely tore an elbow ligament warming up for vault, her first event, and withdrew. She underwent Tommy John surgery.
She came back to make the team for world championships in 2022 and 2023, earning team gold each year.
Olympic Trials are Thursday through Sunday with the women’s competition on Friday and Sunday.
The women’s all-around winner combining results from the two days of competition automatically makes the Olympic team.
A three-person selection committee picks the other four team members, taking into account results dating back to last fall’s world championships.