“[Peace Emoji Sign] out gymnastics, it’s been real… and of course forever LSU!!” This is what Olivia Dunne posted on X on April 18. One simple message, thousands of memories and emotions. This sentence carried the weight of a 5-year-long journey that transformed her into an icon of college gymnastics, a leading NIL earner, and an emblem of LSU’s dominance in gymnastics. The 22-year-old from New Jersey not only knows how to do perfect handstands but also knows how to gather millions of followers on social media to voice her advocacy for women in sports. But now, she takes a long sigh of relief, and voices her heart…
The little Dunne in a tiny onesie who was glowing with joy at the podium had grown into a young star who had conquered the NCAA stage, inspired millions on social media, and carried the hopes of young gymnasts everywhere. On April 17, 2025, in the aftermath of LSU’s disheartening loss at the NCAA Gymnastics Championships, Dunne officially announced her retirement from competitive gymnastics. But her stepping down from the mat does not mean an end to her inspiration. Her story with gymnastics does not have a full stop.
She might have drawn the curtains now, but there is a small crack still visible, and she might come back. Her interview with For The Win, along with Megan L Hall, was a gateway to her mind and goals after retirement. Here is how she looks back at this decision.“I think the transition from being a DI athlete [in] any sport to no longer doing your passion ― I think that is a very hard transition,” Dunne told For The Win. “Gymnastics consumed so much of my childhood, so to no longer do it anymore is crazy. It is.” Nevertheless, she is already looking forward to the next chapter and was recently a cover star for the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, and never stops advocating for women in gymnastics and other sports.
In her interaction with USA Today Sports today, Livvy said, “I definitely would want to do something with sports and keep advocating for women’s sports, especially since I’m fortunate to have this platform.” She further admitted, “It’s important to keep eyes on women’s sports and keep the hype around gymnastics, especially.” So what is her plan now? How is she navigating her life after retirement?
Olivia Dunne’s recent plans after retiring from gymnastics
Dunne had a posthumous collegiate career away from the pressure of the Olympics. It spans elite competition, high school, and college, with her biggest achievements being in college at LSU. Livvy retired in April 2025 and decided to hang up her leotard and post a farewell message on social media. However, she came back this year by using her fifth year in the NCAA. Dunne desired to partake in a fifth season of NCAA gymnastics with the LSU Tigers, utilizing an additional year of eligibility awarded due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
She might be 22, but she already has her head in the right place. Her future seems well planned, with goals to improve the state of women in sports. During her chat with Megan L. Hall, she spoke about her fund that she created to help women in gymnastics and other sports. The young athlete explained, “I think that no matter what, I will always advocate for women’s sports. I started a fund at LSU called the Livvy Fund, and it’s to help provide NIL deals for female athletes. I’m going to continue doing that.”
She not only dabbled in advocacy but also decided to show her stylish side by appearing on the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. She also opened Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit Runway Show during Miami, Florida’s Swim Week, along with top athletes like Jordan Chiles and Ilona Maher. And guess what? It was her first runway show, but like a true star, she ended her walk with a split at the end of the runway. What’s more commendable is that she did it while having an injured knee!
She narrated the ordeal in the For The Win interview and said, “Did the photo shoot on a fractured kneecap. Didn’t know I was shooting for a cover. They hadn’t told me. So, I was just doing a normal shoot. Took some pain medicine for my knee. It was fun. I love working with Sports Illustrated. They make me feel confident.”
And now that she’s hung up her leotard, what awaits next? Dunne will continue to be a social media star, taking deals and endorsements like Invisalign, while also helping fellow female athletes. What do you think about her career and future plans? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
The post “It’s Crazy”: Olivia Dunne Makes Emotional Confession Months After Stepping Away From Gymnastics appeared first on EssentiallySports.