LSU gymnastics star Olivia Dunne has made a devastating announcement ahead of what was supposed to be one of the most special nights of her career. The 22-year-old senior revealed on Thursday night that she will miss LSU’s final home meet of the season due to a significant knee injury—one that could potentially mark the end of her collegiate gymnastics career.
Dunne’s Emotional Announcement
Taking to Instagram, Dunne shared the heartbreaking news with her millions of fans, explaining that she has been dealing with an avulsion fracture of her patella (kneecap) and will be unable to compete on Senior Night—the last home meet of her LSU career.
“Unfortunately, I’ve been dealing with an avulsion fracture of my patella and will not be able to compete on Senior Night,” Dunne wrote.
“It absolutely breaks my heart to not get the opportunity to compete in the PMAC one last time.
“Tiger fans, you’ve been so good to me! Thank you for the endless support and, as always, Geaux Tigers!”
The announcement sent shockwaves through the LSU gymnastics community, as fans had been hoping to see Dunne take the floor one last time in Baton Rouge. Instead, she will likely be watching from the sidelines as the Tigers face Georgia in what should have been her farewell home performance.
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Could Dunne’s LSU Career Be Over?
While Dunne has only officially ruled herself out of Friday’s meet, the nature of her knee injury raises concerns about whether she will be able to return at all before the season ends.
LSU has just one regular-season meet remaining—a road matchup against Auburn next Friday—before heading into the SEC Championships and NCAA postseason. If her injury prevents her from competing, it would mean that her final performance for LSU came back on January 24 against Arkansas, marking an abrupt and painful end to her collegiate career.
Dunne’s Legacy at LSU and Beyond
Regardless of whether she competes again, Dunne’s impact on LSU gymnastics is undeniable. She has been a key member of the program, helping LSU secure its first-ever National Championship last season, an achievement that played a major role in her decision to return for a fifth year under the NCAA’s COVID-19 eligibility extension.
Beyond her performances on the mat, Dunne has become one of the most recognizable athletes in college sports history, amassing an enormous social media following with 5.3 million Instagram followers and 8 million on TikTok. Her ability to combine athletic excellence with branding success has made her one of the most prominent figures of the NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) era, securing multi-million-dollar endorsement deals along the way.
She has already starred in major commercials, including a recent energy drink campaign alongside NFL superstar Travis Kelce, and appeared in a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit photoshoot, further cementing her place as one of the most marketable athletes in the country.
What’s Next for Dunne?
While it remains uncertain whether Dunne will be able to return to competition, her future beyond gymnastics looks incredibly bright. She has already accumulated an estimated net worth of $6 million, and many believe that she is just getting started in terms of her post-college career.
In addition to her business and media ventures, Dunne is also well known for her high-profile relationship with Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes, who is already being regarded as one of MLB’s future stars after a dominant rookie season.
A Mardi Gras Celebration Before the Heartbreaking News
Just days before making her injury announcement, Dunne was celebrating Mardi Gras in New Orleans in grand fashion. She was given the honor of serving as Grand Marshal for the 2025 Krewe of Endymion parade, one of the largest and most extravagant parades in New Orleans’ pre-Fat Tuesday festivities.
She later shared videos of herself atop one of the floats, tossing traditional Mardi Gras beads to thousands of fans lining the streets of the Crescent City.
Dunne’s Emotional Reflection on Her Final Season
Before the injury, Dunne had expressed how much she was cherishing her final year with LSU, emphasizing the special bonds she formed with her teammates.
“I’m just trying to seize every opportunity and make the most of it and make those memories,” Dunne told ESPN in February.
“The travel meets are some of the best memories you’ll have when you’re a college athlete and being with the girls on the team. Even just practice every day is special. These are my sisters, and that’s something I’ll never forget.”
Now, with her Senior Night meet out of reach and her future competition status uncertain, Dunne’s journey as an LSU gymnast may be coming to an unexpected and heartbreaking conclusion.
One thing, however, remains certain—whether on the mat, in the business world, or in front of the cameras, Olivia Dunne’s story is far from over.