“Eyes on the prizes,” a post shared on Olivia Dunne’s Instagram on July 27, 2021. That day in the Tokyo Olympics, the women’s team, led by Simone Biles, grabbed the silver prize but with a twisting fortune. We all know that ‘Twisties’ cut down the top podium standing of the U.S. gymnastics dream in the Tokyo Olympics. We all read it for quite a while. But, for Olivia Lilly Dunne, who had her friends in that silver-winning team, it was more than an unfathomable result.

In 2013-14, when Olivia Dunne joined the National Junior Athletics Program, it was evident that the future winner of the 2015 American Classic had the potential to compete in the international Olympic Games. However, her dream was cut short due to a leg injury. Despite this setback, Dunne continued to demonstrate her elite gymnastics skills by training with the national gymnastics team, alongside notable athletes like Jordan Chiles and Suni Lee. Watching her close-knit bond with the national team made it especially exciting to witness their camaraderie as they took the stage at the Tokyo Olympics.

Olivia Dunne confessed her emotions when watching her mates in the Tokyo Olympics

While that exhilaration was extolling in her mind for her national team while watching the national team competing in Tokyo, Olivia Dunne’s heart was in tremendous mode. In a conversation with Dave Portnoy, Josh Richards, and Bri Chikenfry in their BFFs’ 44th episode, Olivia shared her feelings while watching her training mates go for the swing and twirl. She wanted them to do extra good. Knowing them close **made that expectation in her. “So like watching the Olympics this year was extra nerve-wracking because I was like, I know them on a personal level,” Olivia Dunne said in the conversation. Surely, not only for Olivia Lilly Dune but also, it was a nerve-touching experience for all who were watching the elites in that competition. Especially when iconic Simon Biles is faced with her Twisties symptoms while twirling in the air.

After Simone Biles and Team USA showed their invigorating performance in the Olympics, Simone ended 1.5 rotations while attempting 2.5 rotations in the Women’s Team Final. Also, she withdrew herself, following the petrifying sensation in her head, from the Women’s All-around Final. That is heartbreaking for the spectators. Surely, knowing that the heavy burden Simone had gone, Olive Dunne endorsed the GOAT before the Paris Olympics 2024. Putting her faith in Simone Biles, Olivia said, “Simone has always been a GOAT, and I think that this is like her revenge tour.” And added, “she’s gonna probably win.”

Gymnasts won despite their obstacles

That faith didn’t fail—Simone Biles made an astounding comeback on the Olympic stage and won gold medals in back-to-back events. She etched her name as the oldest gymnast in individual all-around to win all three rounds along with other achievements.

For Olivia Dunne, her journey to collecting top gymnastics accolades began early, at just nine years old. Her dedication and achievements eventually secured her an athletic scholarship at LSU in 2017. That same year, she shone at the U.S. Classic in Chicago, earning three medals on beam and floor while finishing fifth in the all-around competition. Despite her impressive medal collection, Dunne has faced significant physical and mental challenges. A foot injury derailed her dream of making the national team, marking a pivotal moment in her gymnastics career. And that feeling that Simone Biles had gone—to Olivia—can happen to anyone in this gymnastics.