The Olympics, revered as the pinnacle stage in sports, represent the ultimate goal for countless athletes around the world. This year, in gymnastics particularly Team USA, boasts a lineup of titans such as Simone Biles, Suni Lee, Jade Carey, Jordan Chiles, Gabby Douglas, and others, all aiming for coveted spots on the roster.

Among these formidable names are gymnasts who not only represent their country on the international stage but also don their collegiate colors as part of NCAA squads. Notable figures like Jade Carey, Leanne Wong, Kayla DiCello, Skye Blakely, and others exemplify the unique balancing act required to navigate both elite international competition and the demanding NCAA season.

Leanne Wong and Jade Carey are juggling the NCAA season and the Paris Olympics.

While securing a place on Team USA is a monumental achievement, NCAA gymnasts also dedicate their attention each year to the prestigious NCAA Championships, recognizing their significance in their collegiate journey. However, the question arises: Can Leanne Wong and Jade Carey’s risky decision to vie for both the Olympics and the NCAA Championship title hamper their Olympic Dreams?

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Leanne Wong, who represented Team USA alongside Joscelyn Roberson, Skye Blakely, Shilese Jones, and Kayla DiCello, is aiming for the pinnacle stage this year. Balancing her Olympic aspirations with her integral role on the No. 4-ranked Florida Gators gymnastics team, Wong’s recent performances have solidified her status as a force to be reckoned with in collegiate gymnastics.

Achieving an awe-inspiring all-around score of 39.875, the highest in the nation, and becoming the 15th NCAA gymnast to achieve a “GYM SLAM” with perfect 10.0 scores in all four apparatuses, Wong continues to captivate fans. Despite the option to return home for training, Wong opts to remain at the University of Florida due to the necessity of in-person classes and the resources available to her, including coaching and athletic training support.

With her rigorous schedule, which includes pre-med classes, managing her burgeoning “Leanne Wong Bowtique” business, meeting sponsor commitments, and studying for medical school, Wong is finding joy and fulfillment in the team-oriented atmosphere of collegiate gymnastics. Wong’s decision to stay in Florida allows her to take control of her gymnastics career.

Unlike in club gymnastics, where coaches have the final say, she collaborates with her collegiate coaches to make decisions about her training and routines. After the 2024 NCAA championships, she plans to return to elite gymnastics for the 2024 Core Hydration Classic in May. She told ESPN, “The dream 2024 would be an NCAA national title and ultimately making the Paris Olympic team.”

Similarly, Jade Carey, the Olympic floor exercise gold medalist, has always charted her course in gymnastics. As the 2024 Paris Olympics approach, Carey is once again breaking new ground by balancing collegiate gymnastics at Oregon State with elite-level Olympic training. Carey experienced challenges in her elite career last year, feeling unprepared and burdened by pressure.

However, she took a break, offered herself grace, and regained her confidence. She said, “I knew that the Olympics was still my end goal and maybe that last year was just something I had to go through.” Jade Carey returns to NCAA competition this week at the 2024 National Collegiate Women’s Gymnastics Championships in Fort Worth, Texas. As the 13th gymnast to ever achieve a gym slam during the 2023 season, Carey has continued to shine in 2024, posting perfect 10s in each of her last two meets on floor exercise.

With a career total of 13 perfect 10s, including two on vault, two on bars, one on beam, and six on floor, Carey has demonstrated remarkable consistency and excellence. She plans to return to elite competition at the American Classic, in Katy, Texas, aiming to showcase her readiness for international competition. As we reflect on how both Jade Carey and Leanne Wong are balancing both NCAA and elite gymnastics, let us see athletes who have taken a break this year.

Athletes who have taken a break from college this year to prepare for their Olympic dreams

Kayla DiCello’s bold decision to take a gap year from the University of Florida to pursue her Olympic dreams underscores the sacrifices many athletes make in their quest for excellence on the world stage. This year, her dedication and singular focus culminated in a triumphant victory at the Winter Cup 2024, where she showcased her extraordinary talent with a score of 56.850 points. Being an alternate for the 2020 Olympic Team, Kayla’s relentless determination and hard work have propelled her to new heights.

In 2023, she distinguished herself as the Pan American Games team and all-around champion, as well as claiming the silver medal in floor exercise at the NCAA gymnastics tournament. Reflecting on her journey, Kayla humbly stated, “I’m just taking in every moment and every opportunity that I get in the gym, just to get better each day.”

Similarly, in 2023, the University of Florida’s gymnastics program welcomed a formidable trio of freshmen during the early signing period, which included the addition of Lily Bruce, Taylor Clark, and Skye Blakely, a distinguished athlete who secured gold at the 2022 and 2023 World Championships. However, Blakely decided to defer enrollment in pursuit of her Olympic aspirations.

In a heartfelt Instagram post, Blakely expressed her lifelong dream of competing in the Olympics, seizing the opportunity presented by Paris 2024. She said, “I will use this time to continue to train at home to pursue my goal of making it to the Olympics. I will join the University of Florida fall of 2024.” 

Despite the stark differences in their choices, these athletes have shown the intricate balance between pursuing Olympic greatness and vying for NCAA National Championship titles. While the pinnacle stage of sports demands razor-sharp focus, individuals like Leanne Wong and Jade Carey have demonstrated remarkable promise in their ability to manage this delicate balancing act. Yet, the question lingers: is the potential reward of Olympic glory worth the inherent risks? Share your thoughts below!