Livvy Dunne Reveals Heartbreaking Reason for Letting Go of Olympic Dreams

Over the course of her LSU gymnastics career, Livvy Dunne went from a promising gymnast to a superstar in her field. Her talent quickly elevated her into a household name. After completing her final season as an LSU gymnast this past spring, Dunne, 22—who retired from gymnastics earlier this year—revealed what shut the door on her Olympic dreams.

In an interview on the What’s Your Story? With Stephanie McMahon podcast that dropped on Thursday, June 17, Dunne detailed a brutal injury she sustained as a teenager that limited her athletic ability.

“I was actually competing on a hurt ankle [at] the 2018 USA Championships,” Dunne said, “and part of my ankle bone died.”

Dunne continued, sharing that she was later diagnosed with osteochondritis dissecans, a condition in which the bone beneath the cartilage loses blood flow and stops functioning properly. Those with this condition also live with hindered joint motion. Dunne said that when this part of her bone died, her “Olympic dreams died with it.”

“It was so painful,” Dunne continued. “That was one of my first real injuries. I’ve actually never gotten any surgery, which is kind of crazy for a gymnast.”

Over the course of her academic career, Dunne achieved some remarkable feats, including personal bests of 9.925 on bars and 9.900 on floor. By May 2023, Dunne had an estimated NIL valuation of $3.3 million, making her the highest valued woman athlete at the time.

Dunne—who is currently dating Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes—officially retired from gymnastics this past April, announcing the news in a video shared to her Instagram page.

“Time flies when you’re having fun,” Dunne said. “That's exactly how the past 20 years in this sport have felt…and I will cherish every memory for the rest of my life.”