Olivia Dunn opened up about the severe ankle injuries that derailed her aspirations of becoming an Olympic gymnast. She discussed how, at the 2018 USA Championship, an ankle injury she sustained led to some of her ankle bones becoming damaged. “It was a bit relieving,” she mentioned, noting that it didn’t bother her after that initial pain, but once she went to college, the pain returned strongly. This was, she recalls, her first significant injury.
Dunn experienced osteochondritis dissecans, a challenging condition, while competing at the senior elite level when she was just 16.
She has never undergone surgery and expressed pride in that. “I believe if I take the necessary time to heal, I can recover without the need for surgery,” she emphasized, sharing her experience and outlook on gymnastics.
Having started her elite gymnastics career in 2014, Dunn joined LSU and played a pivotal role in leading the Tigers to their first national championship in 2024.
After a difficult senior season, the 22-year-old announced her retirement from gymnastics in April 2025, reflecting on how the sport filled her heart. “Gymnastics will always be part of me,” Dunn stated. “It has shaped who I am, creating lasting memories and a sense of sisterhood beyond just sports. You are my first love.”
Dunn has a massive online presence, with 8 million followers on TikTok, 5.4 million on Instagram, and 191,100 on X. Alongside gymnastics, she has also ventured into swimsuit modeling.
Recently, she’s often been seen at MLB ballparks, supporting her boyfriend, Pirates pitcher and former LSU star Paul Skenes.
