Two-time Pan American Games gold medalist and new LSU recruit Zoe Miller faces a major setback at the onset of her collegiate career as she is set to undergo surgery. Miller had sustained a tear in the labrum cartilage of her shoulder joint in February.
Zoe Miller had struck an NLI (National Letter of Intent) deal with the Louisiana State Gymnastics in November last year and was set to grace the gymnastic roster of the institution from the upcoming collegiate season. However, Miller updated her followers about her upcoming surgery for the injury she had sustained in February this year.
As per reports from MARCA, Miller is set to be out of the gymnastics mat for at least six months. Miller took to her Instagram handle to share a message for her fans. Sharing a photo of herself from the hospital, she wrote:
"This is not the news I wanted to share for this up coming season… I would say just another small bump in the road but this feels like pothole," she wrote.
Following this announcement, numerous members of the gymnastics community have shown concern for the 18-year-old and shared their good wishes for Zoe Miller. Two-time Olympic medalist Jordan Chiles shared her love for the 18-year-old gymnast and added two heart emojis under the comment section of the post.
"Praying for a speedy recovery," Paris Olympic gold medalist Hezly Rivera wrote.
Olivia Dunne is currently in the fifth year of LSU and Miller's senior on the LSU roster. She wrote:
"Love u twin"
"Love you Zo Zo," Lexi Zeiss wrote.
"Wishing you a speedy recovery," British gymnast and Tokyo Olympic silver medalist Jennifer Gadirova wrote.
Zoe Miller comments on the role of social media in her gymnastics career
18-year-old United States gymnast Zoe Miller credited social media and vlogs for undermining her true personality. This came just a few months ago during a conversation at the U.S. National Gymnastics team's training camp.
During an interview in February, Miller revealed that social media and engaging in numerous social media activities such as vlogging has acted as a stress-buster for her. She said (as quoted by International Gymnast Magazine):
"Yes, it has definitely helped me not to be so stressed. I think this past year, growing into my personality and knowing it’s OK to have a little fun has definitely helped my performances, as well," she said.
Zoe Miller was a crucial part of the US gymnastics national team before she retired from the elite circuit due to her shoulder injury. She won the 2023 and 2022 edition of the Pan American Championships with the national team.