Now we all know that Simone Biles is the GOAT—no debate there. And last year, Olivia Dunne had no problem saying it loud and clear. “This is like her revenge tour,” Livvy said in July 2024, hyping up Simone’s long-anticipated return to Olympic glory in Paris. “What happened in 2020 was a freak thing, and I think that she’s out for revenge, and she’s gonna probably win.” But what started as simple support seems to have taken a wrong turn. Good ol’ internet took no time in tearing into Dunne for this. While for some it felt as if LSU’s golden girl was downplaying Biles’ struggles, others were there just for the sake of it. But what if we tell you that both Dunne and Biles have more in common than you think? How so?
Well, we know that their gymnastics styles and career paths are wildly different. While one is the most decorated gymnast in history, the other is an NCAA sensation turned social media powerhouse. But both have faced constant scrutiny—Simone for her dominance and decisions, Livvy for her fame beyond the sport. And there are a few more. And yet, somehow, both gymnasts’ paths go in different directions.
We’ll come to that later. But before that, let us concentrate on the similarities. Such as? On April 1, Sam Schube shared an article on Olivia Dunne under GQ Sports. However, the article has a few pointers that explain the similarities between Simone and Olivia. The major one? Livvy’s homeschooling experience is to follow her gymnastics dream.
The article claims, “She [Olivia] didn’t have a regular high school experience either—she opted for homeschooling to support her gymnastics pursuit.” And Simone was the same. Three years ago, in her interaction with WSJ. Style, Biles said, “In that aspect, going to public school, hanging out with friends, and going to school dances. I was homeschooled; I didn’t get to do any of that.” And this is just one. There are a few more similarities.
Two Stars, One Sport, Two Very Different Paths
We all remember when Simone Biles bravely stepped back from the Tokyo Olympics, citing mental health concerns. The world applauded her courage. But what if I told you Olivia Dunne went through something eerily similar… but didn’t get the same grace?
Here’s the untold story of how two powerhouse gymnasts—both talented, both pressured, both struggling—took diverging paths, and how Dunne’s unfortunate timing and circumstance derailed what could’ve been a historic gymnastics career.
Who Is Olivia Dunne, Really?
Not Just a TikTok Star—An Elite Athlete
Let’s clear the air. Olivia Dunne isn’t just a social media sensation. Long before she racked up millions of followers on TikTok and Instagram, she was a fierce competitor. She was on the U.S. national gymnastics team, showing promise on bars, beam, and floor.
Her Rise in the Gymnastics World
By age 10, she was competing at the elite level. By 14, she was representing the U.S. internationally. Dunne’s routines were precise, clean, and elegant—earning her a spot on the radar of college scouts and national selectors.
The Pressure Cooker of Elite Gymnastics
The Expectations Were Brutal
If you’ve ever watched elite gymnastics, you know it’s more than flips and smiles. Behind the glitter lies exhaustion, injuries, and mental tolls. Olivia, like Simone, faced relentless pressure—train harder, smile more, don’t break.
Comparison to Simone Biles Was Inevitable
Both were young prodigies. Both had elite potential. But while Biles became a global icon, Dunne’s journey took a sharp turn. The expectations placed on her weren’t just about performance—they were about perfection.
The Mental Toll and Hidden Battles
Burnout Isn’t Just a Buzzword
Gymnastics demands perfection. One misstep could mean injury—or a lost dream. Like Biles, Dunne faced mental fatigue. The anxiety. The weight of national expectations. But unlike Biles, she didn’t have the same support when she faltered.
H3: She Suffered in Silence
While Simone had the Olympic platform to speak out, Olivia’s struggles remained under wraps. Social media masked the exhaustion. Behind every post was a girl trying to hold it together.
The Career-Ending Misfortune
Injury at the Worst Possible Time
In 2020, Dunne suffered a major injury—right as the world shut down due to COVID-19. The timing couldn’t have been worse. The sport paused, but recovery didn’t. While other gymnasts healed and trained, Olivia faced rehab, doubt, and tough decisions.
Olympic Dreams Dashed
That injury sidelined her from major events—crucial for Olympic selection. With time ticking and younger athletes rising, her shot at the Olympics slipped away, quietly.
Simone Biles vs. Olivia Dunne—A Tale of Two Outcomes
Why Biles Got a Comeback and Dunne Didn’t
Simone stepped away on her terms. She had the medals, the media, and the support. Olivia? She got injured, missed key comps, and was silently dropped from elite radar. Timing is everything—and hers was tragic.
Media Framing Played a Role
Simone’s story was about resilience. Olivia’s? It was never told. That lack of narrative cost her. She wasn’t seen as a warrior battling mental and physical blocks—just another “pretty face” who faded out.
Turning to Social Media: A New Chapter
NIL Deals and Internet Fame
With gymnastics career prospects dimming, Olivia pivoted. She embraced the NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) era—becoming one of the most lucrative college athletes online. But here’s the twist: this wasn’t plan A. This was survival.
Criticism Came Fast
Some called her an influencer first, athlete second. They missed the part where she fought injuries and pressure for years. She didn’t choose clout over competition—she adapted to circumstances.
What Could’ve Been: The Untapped Potential
Her Skill Set Was Olympic-Caliber
Before her injury, Dunne had routines packed with difficulty and style. She had the mental focus, the artistry, and the power. The “what if” still lingers—had she stayed healthy, we might’ve seen her in Olympic leotards.
NCAA Gymnastics Gave Her a Soft Landing
LSU gave her a new stage. She dazzled in collegiate meets, but everyone knew—it wasn’t the Olympics. It was a consolation prize. But she made it look good.
The Bigger Conversation in Gymnastics
Why Do Some Athletes Get Grace, and Others Don’t?
Mental health is complex. But public sympathy is often uneven. When Simone paused, she was brave. When Olivia faded, she was forgotten. It’s a tough truth, but one that needs addressing.
H3: Media Bias, Branding, and Timing
Sometimes, it’s not about what you did—it’s about when you did it, and who was watching. Olivia’s story didn’t fit the media mold of a comeback hero, so it never trended.
Lessons From Olivia Dunne’s Journey
Every Athlete Deserves to Be Seen
Whether they medal or not, their stories matter. Olivia Dunne showed resilience, passion, and adaptability. That should be celebrated, not sidelined.
Gymnastics Needs a Culture Shift
More support, less pressure. More listening, less judging. Olivia’s misfortune can be a turning point—if the sport pays attention.
Conclusion: Her Career Deserved More Than Silence
Olivia Dunne was more than a TikTok queen or social media face. She was a fierce competitor, an elite gymnast, and someone who faced setbacks with grace. Her story is one of resilience, even if it wasn’t wrapped in medals.
Yes, she had a similar experience to Simone Biles—but lacked the media, the moment, and the second chance. That doesn’t make her journey any less inspiring. In fact, it might make it more so.
