Olivia Dunne Sends Heartfelt Final Message to Gymnastics World Following LSU’s Championship Loss

In the moments after LSU’s heartbreaking loss in the NCAA Gymnastics Championships, Olivia Dunne stood on the edge of the competition floor, absorbing it all. The applause from the crowd, the emotional embraces between teammates, the knowing look exchanged with coaches—all of it marked the end of an era. For Dunne, one of the most recognizable athletes in collegiate sports and a defining presence in LSU gymnastics, this wasn’t just the close of another season. It was the final curtain call of her competitive gymnastics career.

Though the Tigers fought hard and carried the weight of expectations into the national championship meet, their quest for the program’s first NCAA title came up just short. LSU’s remarkable season, one filled with highlight-reel moments, clutch routines, and a team-wide determination to make history, ended without the trophy they had hoped to hoist. But for Dunne, the season—and her career—was about more than titles.

Soon after the loss, she posted a message on social media that instantly went viral among LSU fans and the broader gymnastics community.

“Forever grateful. This sport, this team, this journey—every part of it has shaped who I am. Thank you, LSU. Thank you, gymnastics. I’ll carry this love with me always.”

Simple, sincere, and straight from the heart.

It was a message that resonated far beyond the LSU fanbase. Dunne’s final words to the sport that made her a household name were filled with grace and gratitude, a far cry from the glamour and spotlight that followed her throughout her college years. With millions of social media followers, NIL deals that made her one of the highest-earning athletes in college sports, and a national profile that extended well beyond the sport, Dunne had become a symbol of the new era of college athletics. But when it came time to say goodbye, she did so not with fanfare but with humility.

To understand the weight of that message, one must first appreciate what Dunne meant to LSU gymnastics—and college gymnastics as a whole.

Arriving in Baton Rouge as one of the nation’s top recruits, Dunne’s impact was immediate. Her elite-level training, charisma, and competitive spirit elevated the program’s visibility. But more than that, she inspired a generation of young gymnasts, many of whom were introduced to the sport not through traditional broadcasts, but through Dunne’s viral videos and behind-the-scenes glimpses into the life of a student-athlete. She helped make gymnastics cool, accessible, and aspirational.

Over the course of her LSU career, Dunne became a key contributor for the Tigers, performing in multiple events and delivering clutch routines in some of the program’s biggest moments. Injuries, as they often do in gymnastics, occasionally forced her out of lineups, but she remained a constant presence—cheering, motivating, and leading by example.

This season, Dunne embraced a veteran role. Surrounded by a mix of seasoned teammates and rising stars, she became the glue that held the Tigers together through the highs and lows of a grueling campaign. LSU entered the postseason as one of the most complete and dangerous teams in the country, capable of scoring in the 198s and peaking at the right time.

They performed admirably at nationals, battling powerhouses like Oklahoma, Florida, and Utah. Each rotation was fiercely contested, with razor-thin margins separating the top teams. LSU was in the thick of it until the very end, but a few uncharacteristic mistakes on beam and floor proved costly. The Tigers finished just off the podium, a result that stung—but did little to diminish the pride they felt in each other.

After the final salute and team huddle, Dunne took a moment for herself. She knelt on the floor, hands pressed to her LSU leo, eyes closed as if trying to absorb every second. For a gymnast whose identity had been wrapped in routines, practices, and competitions since childhood, this was the last bow.

Her social media message was followed by a video montage—clips of team bus rides, pre-meet rituals, her first stick at the PMAC, the beam routines that made fans erupt. There was laughter and tears, inside jokes, and celebrations. Overlaying the images was her voice:

“This sport has been the greatest teacher. It taught me discipline, perseverance, confidence. It gave me a family. I wouldn’t trade a second of it—not even the hard days. LSU gave me a home, and I hope I gave something back to it too.”

Dunne’s legacy at LSU is more than numbers on a scoresheet. She helped transform the program into a national brand, one that drew sold-out crowds, prime-time coverage, and a new wave of fans. Head coach Jay Clark often said that Dunne’s presence “made LSU gymnastics bigger than it had ever been.”

But it wasn’t just the name recognition. Teammates describe her as fiercely loyal, surprisingly humble, and endlessly supportive. “She always put the team first,” said fellow senior Kiya Johnson. “Even when she wasn’t competing, she was locked in, cheering her heart out, keeping us grounded. Liv’s energy was contagious.”

Beyond LSU, Dunne’s influence on the sport is difficult to overstate. In the age of NIL, she became a trailblazer—showing how athletes could balance commercial opportunities with collegiate commitment. She never let the business side distract from the gymnastics, and in doing so, she opened doors for future athletes to do both.

The criticism came, of course. Some questioned her media presence, others doubted her competitive role. But she never bit back. She kept showing up, kept putting in the work, and proved time and again that she was more than a viral sensation.

Her final season might not have ended with a championship, but it ended with something perhaps more meaningful: respect. From fans, from peers, from coaches and media alike. She leaves the sport not as a caricature or influencer, but as a gymnast who gave everything to the craft—and did it her way.

What’s next for Dunne remains to be seen. There are modeling opportunities, media appearances, and likely a continued presence in the athletic space. She’s hinted at staying connected to gymnastics, perhaps as a mentor or ambassador. But for now, she’s stepping away, letting the chalk settle, and reflecting on a journey that spanned more than a decade.

In the days after LSU’s loss, tributes poured in. Former gymnasts, fans, and celebrities sent their congratulations and farewells. ESPN ran a segment highlighting her career. LSU put together a tribute video, narrated by Clark, calling her “a generational athlete who changed what was possible.”

In the face of all that, Dunne stayed consistent—grateful, grounded, and glowing with pride.

To some, she was a gymnast. To others, a social media icon. To LSU, she was both—and more.

As the curtain closes on her competitive career, Olivia Dunne walks off the floor with her head high, surrounded by teammates who love her and a fanbase that will never forget her. There may be no gold medal around her neck, but there’s no doubt—she won something much greater.

A place in gymnastics history. And in the hearts of millions.