Why won't Katelyn Ohashi be at the Olympics? | CBC Sports

Katelyn Ohashi is arguably one of the most popular gymnasts in the world. How is it possible that she will never see the Olympic podium? CBC Sports Jacqueline Doorey takes a look into why Katelyn Ohashi won't be at the Olympics.

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[tak-el-uc]

It is unfair to Katelyn Ohashi to talk about why she didn't go to the Olympics without talking about her serious injuries that played a significant part in derailing her Olympic path.

[LiveLaughLove]

1. She doesn’t want that for herself anymore. 2. She was seriously injured. 3. She’s moving onto different things in her life.

[dwheels]

This is not a surprise for anyone who understands this sport. The level of difficulty needed to achieve a spot on the US olympic women's gymnastics team requires an almost unbelievable amount a difficult skills. These skills require an excessive amount of training in order for them to be consistent for the athlete. The NCAA competes every weekend and therefore the requirements for that organization are far less involved than the FIG. This allows the university level gymnasts to be competitive and still remain capable of studying and avoiding unnecessary risk of injury. This is not to say Ohashi isnt good enough to achieve a spot on the olympic team, she's amazing and used to be the #1 gymnast in america for a time (and I believe also possessed the capability of competing the most difficult beam routine in the world) . Its just two very different levels of competition. Some might say she could compete as a floor/beam specialist but with the new 4 person team rule its just becoming too difficult to earn a spot as a specialist. I would make an argument as well about the balance between age and athletic ability, but we are seeing more and more on the international level that gymnasts are staying very competitive right into their 20s and even 30s. A trend that I believe is a very good thing for this sport.

[stormyskyz]

She is the happiest gymnast I’ve personally ever seen. That floor routine of hers was the best and makes elite level look boring… bring Ohashi back.

[Carnage]

Why is this video even a thing? Elite gymnastics and the Olympics wasn't what Katelyn wanted. It nearly pushed her away from the sport forever. It wasn't until college gymnastics where she could finally express herself and find who she is as well as not having all the pressures of the elite world. She's expressed this MANY times and people need to live with it. She's done being a gymnast now and she can go out and change the world in so many other ways now

[ellierue]

The part he forgot to mention was that a large amount of people including her coaches subjected her to extreme bodyshaming and she was injured

[zgqzozu]

She shines so brightly she doesn't need an olympic medal.

[Andrew]

Yes it is very sad that she won't be in the Olympics but she's done something so much better I'm in my forties and she has inspired me I am a former basketball coach and a person with a disability and she is inspired me to return to coaching what a great kid just an inspiration with a great message never give up I never let anyone tell you who you are great girl

[timper]

That's ok, she's having fun and we love watching her routines. Her joy is infectious.

[trenae]

I love that while he says Olympic track didn’t work for Katelyn, he clarifies that it’s because she was meant for something different. Too many times people think if one path doesn’t work - even after time and incredible effort - then they are a failure. That’s just not so! If you’ve put your heart into something that doesn’t work, you haven’t failed; you simply haven’t found your niche. Keep looking and keep faith, and hold on to the accomplishments you’ve made along the way!

[hazelnutspred]

I hate when people just assume when someone is good at a sport, they just magically go to the olympics.

[angelwitch]

After watching her I think she is so much fun to watch! I love her! Full of energy, happy, smiling, enjoying what she does. It is refreshing to see this and makes me wanna get up and dance!!!!

[Kpoperlife]

Simple answer:
Ohashi is a level 10 gymnast and you have to be an elite level gymnast to be eligible for the Olympics.

To explain that a bit for people who don't follow gymnastics, there are levels gymnasts have to go to. The highest level is the elite level. Right before that is level 10. Elite gymnasts are the ones who go on to compete in international competition like the World's and the Olympics. You can choose whether you want to go on to the elite levels or stay at level 10. At one point Katelyn Ohashi was an elite gymnast and was actually Olympic hopeful and had just missed the cut off age for the 2012 Olympics. After retaining injuries for the 2016 quad, mostly in her back, she stepped down from the elite level and went back to level 10. This allowed her to do NCAA gymnastics. You cant be elite and do NCAA gymnastics at the same time.

Moreover, even if she was an elite gymnasts, she'd still have to compete and place at certain international competitions just to qualify for the US Gymnastics Trials and then place high enough to get one of the 4 spots on the team.

[SFIschia]

Such a deserving young woman. I wish her so much more success in life. She definitely has the will to do whatever she wants!!

[esmirivera]

She made change in the dance gymnastic world and alway will be remembered for it way to go Kaitlyn

[syntaulina]

She brings joy, success and fame where she is now. She does more than what she did when she was in elite. She influences many ppl through her life struggle. Katelyn is at her best now.

[tomgallowitz]

Simple, she hated the elite atmosphere and it took Miss Val to get her open up and value her as a person in order for her to compete again.

[adrian]

There’s more to the story than what they put in the video...someone didn’t do their entire research.

[crystalkadletc]

As much as I would LOVE to watch her compete at The Olympics, it’s not something she wants for herself and her career. She was at one time an Elite Level
Gymnast, until she injured herself. And she realized it’s not what was best for her. I love all forms of Gymnastics. I wish I could do what these amazing athletes can do. I sometimes find myself with tears in my eyes because they are just so amazing to watch. And Katelyn is right up there, but I’m mesmerized by how fun her routines are and how much joy is in her face. It’s such a beautiful thing.

[foresthart]

We all love Katelyn. Her choices were right for her, and the sport. She brought so much joy to the sport and so much joy to fans. Amazing woman and athlete.