"What happened in 2020 was a freak thing"- Olivia Dunne backs Simone Biles for 'revenge' at Paris Olympics 2024

Olivia Dunne has termed Simone Biles' 2020 Tokyo Olympics campaign a ‘freak thing’. Although the LSU gymnast is not competing herself at the upcoming Paris Olympics 2024, she has backed the seven-time Olympic medalist for a ‘revenge tour’.

Biles has dominated the sport of gymnastics over the last decade, and the only time she didn't was in the latter stages of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The American gymnast withdrew from the team and individual event finals after suffering from a mental health condition, ‘twisties’, losing awareness of her position when airborne.

The 27-year-old did return for the balance beam finals, winning a bronze medal. It was an underwhelming campaign by her standards, setting her up for criticism from the nation. However, former Elite gymnast and LSU star Olivia Dunne isn't one of them.

Speaking at the recent ESPY Awards, Livvy Dunne stated that Simone Biles’ Tokyo Olympics campaign was a ‘freak thing’ and that she is primed to make a big splash at the Paris Olympics 2024.

“Simone (Biles) has always been a GOAT and I think that this is like her revenge tour. What happened in 2020 was a freak thing and I think that she's out for revenge and she's gonna probably win,” Dunne expressed.

While Biles is indeed a favorite to take several gold medals home, Olivia Dunne has opted out of elite competitions since joining LSU. The 21-year-old has no intentions of competing at the Olympic Games.

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Why does Olivia Dunne not want to return to elite gymnastics?

LSU v Auburn- Olivia Dunne talks with Olympic champion Suni Lee (Photo-Getty)

Just like any other gymnast, Olivia Dunne dreamt of competing at the Olympic Games. She began her junior gymnastics career in 2014, which also saw her compete at the City of Jesolo Trophy and contribute to the team’s victory, before making her senior debut in 2018.

However, she suffered an injury in her first senior year, and that changed her perspective completely. In an interview with BFF, Dunne stated that the injury, which was a bone fracture, made her realize that elite gymnastics wasn't for her.

"That dream has died. I got hurt when I think I was about 15-16 years old, my bone had died in my ankle and it fractured, so I kind of realized this is not for me anymore," she expressed.

Although she remained active for another year, Dunne joined the LSU for the 2020-21 season, shutting her doors to elite gymnastics. Whether it was a good decision or not, the 21-year-old is one of the most popular and highest-paid athletes in collegiate sports.