For any athlete, representing the country at the Olympic Games is probably the ultimate dream. Naturally, when that goal is toppled as a result of injuries, the heartbreak can be severe. And that’s exactly what NCAA gymnastics star Luisa Blanco still can’t seem to get over. While stars like Shilese Jones and Gabby Douglas’ absence from the Paris Olympics was justifiably a hard blow to the fans, the Alabama gymnast was facing her own troubles.

The 23-year-old Crimson Tide athlete represents Colombia on international stages. Earning two Perfect 10s at the start of the 2024 NCAA season made many fans believe that Blanco would go on to make quite a ripple in the French capital. However, that didn’t pan out as per the plans. And now, the gymnastics sensation reveals how it was an overwhelming thing to cope with.

NCAA gymnastics star fell short of objective

In an interview with GymCastic, Luisa Blanco talked about how injuries ended her Olympic dreams. In the YouTube upload from January 7, she revealed how a long-standing tryst with injuries made its impact felt at the Paris Games, and why she had to settle for a disappointing finish at the All-Around final. During the interview, host Jessica O’Beirne also mentioned that Blanco looked shaky during her final bar routine. “I didn’t really realize how bad it was or how hanging on by a thread it was in Paris,” O’Beirne said, and the guilty look on Luisa’s face gave up her emotions immediately as she shook her head.

“I will say I went against medical advice,” confessed the NCAA gymnastics star, noting that the host was right in assuming that something was wrong after watching her nervous steps in Paris. Blanco went on to reveal that she had a labrum tear at 14, and she injured that same shoulder again in her freshman year in Alabama. Naturally, she noted that it was a tough rookie year for her, considering the fact that it was also the same year that COVID-19 brought the world to a halt.

Issues with more injuries persisted, but the thought of bearing Colombia’s flag on the grandest stage also lingered. However, it was a harsh reality check, Luisa Blanco noted. “I was stubborn, I shouldn’t have,” said the NCAA gymnastics celebrity on how going against the doctor’s advice didn’t work out well. And yet, despite such issues, one would be impressed by how she pushed on and managed to go toe-to-toe with the best stars from around the world in Paris.

A tale of rising above challenges

The obstacles on Blanco’s path were towering. And still, she managed to pick up a 24th-place finish in the All-Around and a spot in the AA final at the Paris Olympics. She dealt with labrum and bicep surgeries only to find out that the Olympics was “just another meet“, and she went on to dish out the best she had to offer. However, while her national duties didn’t live up to her expectations, Blanco’s NCAA career wasn’t too shabby by any means.

Luisa bagged the SEC Gymnast of The Week honor thrice in 2024, with the 2024 First-Team Regular Season All-American honor on the vault and the All-Around. With her in their ranks, the Crimson Tide finished the regular season with 12 victories and reached the NCAA national semifinals. Luisa also boasts six NCAA Perfect 10 scores under her belt, making her one of the top gymnasts from Alabama. What do you think is next in her impressive career? Tell us in a comment!