Olivia Dunne’s decision to stay at LSU seems a bit shocking, but the gymnast did hint at the possibility not long before making her decision. On July 1, 2024, Dunne spoke with the New York Post about her future. “So I do have eligibility for a fifth year, which I haven’t decided yet,” she said. “I am thinking about it. … But I do have eligibility [for another year at LSU].” It looked like Dunne was teasing her return, but she never confirmed anything until her social media announcement. However, in the interview, the gymnast guaranteed there was one direction she would not be heading: The Olympics.
Dunne told the New York Post, “I don’t think I’m going to try for the Olympics or anything after, since I once competed for Team USA and I closed that chapter and went to LSU.” The athlete has briefly touched on her previous Olympic goals in different interviews. In June 2023, she revealed on the “Full Send” podcast that she went to the USA Olympic training center for her shot at the gold, but she found the environment to be too much. She said, “That whole environment was just not so good … and I decided when I was 16 … I’m just going to be healthy, keep my full ride to LSU, and just be happy.” Even years later, LSU clearly still makes Dunne happy as she takes on her fifth year and continues her superstar transformation.
