Sidelined by a torn Achilles tendon on the eve of the 2024 Paris Olympic trials during podium training, Skye Blakely saw her Olympic dreams shatter. Tears streaming, the gymnast left the arena with a broken heart. But her focus quickly shifted to recovery, determined to come back stronger than ever. She returned in 2025 with an explosive start to the season, reminding everyone why she’s a force to be reckoned with.

Taking a year off from competition, Skye Blakely faced a tough hiatus, missing the biggest stage of her career, the Paris Olympics. It was heartbreaking, yet not enough to make her quit. Fifteen months after a torn Achilles dashed her Olympic dreams, Blakely has bounced back, earning a spot on the U.S. women’s team for the World Gymnastics Championships. She was named to the team on Wednesday alongside Paris alternates Josc Roberson and Leanne Wong.

In Indonesia, Blakely delivered a stunning routine in the uneven bars final, earning a score of 14.333 and finishing in fourth place. In the balance beam qualification, she scored 13.200, narrowly missing the top eight. With such a remarkable showing, the athlete sent a clear message that she is back. “I definitely woke up and I was like, Skye, you have to. Come on, you’ve got to get it done,” she told Olympics.com. After a triumphant return, the athlete is now ready for her first public showcase with the entire team in years.

Confused? Let us clear things up! The 2025 Florida Gators Hype Night is set to ignite excitement at the Exactech Arena in the Stephen C. O’Connell Center on December 15th at 6:30 p.m. This annual fan-favorite event offers an exclusive sneak peek at the upcoming gymnastics season, showcasing the Gators’ brand-new routines across vault, uneven bars, balance beam, and floor exercise, in a mock dual meet format. Guest judges will be on hand to evaluate each performance, adding an extra layer of excitement.

But the fun doesn’t stop at the routines! Fans can explore Alligator Alley, where they can interact with the spirit squads, participate in tailgate-style games, and enter raffles for season tickets. After the meet, attendees will have the chance to grab autographs from the gymnasts on official 2025 posters. With her public appearance with the entire team, Blakely is just making sure that she is officially back and begin working towards her main target, the 2026 season.

Skye Blakely on her main goal and the upcoming season

Skye Blakely’s dreams of Paris 2024 were shattered by a torn Achilles tendon on the eve of the Olympic trials. Yet, standing at this crossroads, she refused to linger in self-pity, “Originally, I was like, ‘Oh, I want to do all-around. I want to be back here,’” she told Olympics.com ahead of this summer’s US Championships. “But then, it was really just taking a step back and looking at the big picture, that 2025 is not the main goal of what I want.”

Though the next Games are three years away, Blakely is grateful that this season, despite being a short one, gave her the chance to regain her form. “Especially after the long year that I’ve had. I’ve worked really hard, and not only in gymnastics, but just recovering physically – my foot – and mentally from last year. I feel very thankful to have another chance to go back to where I was.”

Riding the wave of her phenomenal comeback, Blakely is eager to make a statement this upcoming season. Can she leave an impact strong enough to edge closer to the 2028 LA Olympics? Only time will tell.