Skye Blakely one of the hopeful gymnasts sustained an apparent leg injury while training in Minneapolis, according to reports this week. However, her reaction has raised questions about her status in Team USA gymnastics.
Blakely, 19, was on floor exercise, her final event of the day, when she landed a pass and immediately fell to the mat. She was sobbing as members of the Team USA medical staff lifted her off the mat and into a wheelchair, where she was wheeled off the floor. Moments after Blakely left the arena, Chellsie Memmel, the technical lead on the U.S. women’s high-performance team, approached her coaches and hugged them
While there has been no word officially on Blakely’s injury, the initial reactions from her and those around her did not seem promising.
Blakely has been a favorite to be a part of this year’s Olympic gymnastics team, which takes only five competitors to Paris.
While all eyes are on Simone Biles, Blakely finished second behind the Olympic veteran at the U.S. championships in June. She has also been a part of the U.S. teams that won gold in the last two world championships.
Despite her prowess, Blakely has not been able to compete in the Olympics, as she suffered an injury before the trials last time before the Toyko Games. It would be a brutal series of events for Blakely if she is unable to compete for her spot on the national team again.
