Courtesy of Skye Blakely (@skyeblakely), Kayla DiCello (@kayladicello), and Shilese Jones (@shicanfly) on Instagram
Skye Blakely, Kayla DiCello, and Shilese Jones were all favorites to compete for the USA gymnastics team at the Paris Olympics.
Blakely, DiCello, and Jones all have stacked resumes from the last quad (between the 2020 and 2024 Olympics). Blakely is a two-time world gold medalist; DiCello has two world medals, including a bronze in the all-around; and Jones is a six-time world medalist, with two medals in each color, including silver and bronze medals in the all-around, her bronze coming behind Simone Biles and Rebeca Andrade in 2023. With Jones’ success in medaling behind often only Biles and Andrade, she was even included in promotions and commercials for Team USA ahead of the Games.
All three athletes have become solid and consistent all-around performers, and all had great potential to be named to the 2024 USA Olympic team, alongside Simone Biles (who was the only gymnast anyone could accurately predict would be on the team).
Unfortunately, injuries at the Olympic Trials sidelined all three stars.
Now, as the three gymnasts are on the road to recovery, they set their eyes on future goals. So, where are they now and what’s next for Blakely, DiCello, and Jones?
Courtesy of Skye Blakely (@skyeblakely)
Courtesy of Kayla DiCello (@kayladicello)
Blakely and DiCello are in Gainesville, gearing up for the upcoming NCAA gymnastics season with the Florida Gators. DiCello was named the SEC Freshman of the Year in her first season with the Gators before taking a season off to train for the Olympics. Blakely will be a freshman at Florida, competing for a season alongside her sister, senior Sloane Blakely.
As Blakely and DiCello recover from achilles ruptures, they’re timelines approaching the NCAA season are unclear. Both gymnasts have posted videos doing conditioning, spotted basic skills on the uneven bars, and press handstand competitions with each other on beam. It is possible that we see one or both gymnasts compete on the uneven bars later in the season. Their health is most important, and I hope they can have the NCAA careers they want, and complete their elite careers on their own terms.
Jones has also posted conditioning and training videos on the uneven bars, following surgery for a torn ACL and meniscus. In her three week post-operation post, Jones said in her caption, “Embracing change and writing my own story.” Maybe Jones will be able to make an appearance at Biles’ Gold Over America Tour. Regardless, hopefully Jones, an athlete who has overcome an unimaginable amount of challenges both personally and in the sport, is able to continue on her journey to make her dreams come true. A dream delayed is not a dream denied.
The language used by Blakely, DiCello, and Jones in Instagram posts brings optimism that they will all return to the elite stage, continuing to chase their Olympic dreams. Blakely said, “I’ll be back,” DiCello said, “This is not the end of my story,” and Jones said, “Now, I’m shifting my focus to the future and my next chapter ahead - which is why I’m excited to announce you will see me on the road to LA 2028.”
With a gymnastics environment that supports elongated careers and the Olympics coming home in 2028, I don’t think we’ve seen the last of Skye Blakely, Kayla DiCello, and Shilese Jones.
Edited by Giana Robertaccio
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