Listen to Fox News Articles: Olivia Dunne’s Journey Through Injury and Triumph in Gymnastics
Former LSU Tigers gymnast Olivia Dunne recently shared her emotional journey regarding a severe injury that nearly shattered her dreams of competing as a U.S. Olympian. Originating from New Jersey, Dunne embarked on her elite gymnastics career in 2014. She quickly rose through the ranks, joining the national team and advancing to the senior elite level before ultimately committing to Louisiana State University (LSU), where she celebrated a national championship victory.
During an appearance on the podcast "What’s Your Story? With Stephanie McMahon," Dunne opened up about the devastating injury she sustained in 2018. “I was competing on a hurt ankle at the 2018 USA Championships, and part of my ankle bone died. My Olympic dreams died with it,” she revealed. Despite the pain, she chose not to undergo surgery, a rarity for gymnasts. "I take pride in the fact that I’ve never needed surgery as a gymnast, which is very uncommon," she explained.
Dunne continued to compete at LSU, contributing to the team’s success, including their national championship win in 2024. However, her final year was ultimately impacted by an injury, marking a challenging end to her collegiate career.
In addition to her athletic achievements, Olivia Dunne has become a social media sensation, amassing over 8 million followers on TikTok and 5.4 million on Instagram. Her influence extends beyond gymnastics; she has been spotted supporting her boyfriend, Paul Skenes, as he makes headlines in MLB with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
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Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital.
