Gymnast Shilese Jones Makes Big Announcement After Missing 2024 Paris Olympics

During the U.S. Olympic Gymnastics Trials in Minneapolis last month, a prerequisite for making the women's national team, three top contenders were forced to withdraw from competition due to freak injuries, including Shilese Jones.

Jones, who placed second in the all-around competition behind Simone Biles at the 2024 Core Classic, also won gold on the uneven bars and silver on the floor exercise. The 21-year-old suffered a shoulder injury which kept her from competing in the Xfinity U.S. Championships, but her petition to compete at the U.S. Trials was accepted.

While warming up on vault, she tore her meniscus and ACL during an awkward landing. Jones still went on to compete on the uneven bars, earning a 14.675, the highest score on the apparatus. Following a medical evaluation, however, she was forced to drop out of competition, her 2024 Paris Olympic dreams officially shattered.

The six-time World medalist, however, is not done with gymnastics. Jones took to Instagram make a huge personal announcement on July 28.

Jones is planning to make a comeback for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. She wrote in part, "Thank you to all of my beautiful supporters for your love & kind words.❤️ I’m devastated beyond words... 4 weeks ago I was ripped away from the biggest dream of my career."

"My journey hasn’t been a simple one, and I’m still tackling obstacles as they come. This pain is temporary, but the scars will only fuel me that much more as I continue to chase my dream... Now, I’m shifting 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 🫶🏽."

Skye Blakely, who tore her Achilles during the U.S. Trials commented, "So proud of you shi!! can’t wait to see you back out there😍🫶🏽." Kayla DiCello, who ruptured her Achilles in Minneapolis wrote, "Proud of you! can’t wait to watch you kill it!!"

As for Blakely and DiCello, they both previously shared their intentions to return to gymnastics and journey toward making Team USA in 2028.

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