Why did Kayla DiCello withdraw from the U.S. Olympic Gymnastics trials? All about the former Pan-American Champion's shocking exit

By Animesh Pandey

Modified Jun 29, 2024 06:42 GMT

Kayla DiCello withdrew from the US Olympic Gymnastics Trials by Friday. She was injured during the vault exercise, following which she was attended to by the medical staff, and later carried off in a wheelchair.

The signs were visible during the Wednesday practice when the 20-year-old's leg was heavily bandaged, and she was seen wearing a brace, as per a video shared by fellow gymnast Sunisa Lee.

According to the official statement from USA Gymnastics, Kayla DiCello could not compete following an injury while performing the vault. She was immediately attended to by the medical staff following her injury.

Kayla DiCello not the only athlete to withdraw from the US Olympic Gymnastic Trials

Skye Blakely competing on the balance beam

Unfortunately, DiCello is not the only one to suffer such misfortune. This Friday, multiple World Championship medalist Shilese Jones tweaked her knee during the warmups. She did not immediately withdraw herself from the competition and contested in the uneven bars.

Skye Blakely, however, was not so lucky. Skye Blakely, who had missed out on the Tokyo Olympics due to her age, had arrived at the trials as a strong favorite, having finished only second to Simone Biles.

However, an injury to her Achilles tendon during the vault exercises dashed the 19-year-old's hopes of making it to Paris. Blakely was on crutches when she was called up during a break between rotations and received a long-standing ovation for her herculean efforts.

Likewise, former Olympic champion Gabby Douglas was attempting another comeback through these trials. She would have been one of the oldest American competitors to compete in any gymnastics events since Helsinki in 1952. However, an ankle injury brought all her hopes crashing down.

A look into Kayla DiCello's performances from the 2024 season

A promising, but bleak 2024 for Kayla DiCello?

Kayla DiCello was once considered as a reserve for the American all around team at the Tokyo Olympics. However, since Tokyo, she has evolved as an athlete.

The 20-year-old, who hails from Boyds, Maryland, had won the Winter Cup earlier this year. Kayla DiCello was also the champion in the all around, uneven bars, and floor exercise at the same event, and she also clinched a bronze medal in the balance beam event as well.

While Skye Blakely and Hezly Rivera finished 2nd and third in the all around, Trinity Thomas and Katelyn Jong finished in the same positions in uneven bars. Kaliya Lincoln and Hezly Rivera finished 2nd and 3rd in the floor exercise event respectively.

Kayla DiCello also won a silver medal in floor exercise and an all around bronze medal at the 2024 Xfinity US Gymnastics Championships, which was held at Fort Worth, Texas.