Photo: Getty Images North America
Gymnast and social media influencer Olivia 'Livvy' Dunne announced her decision to return to the national champion LSU Tigers for her final year of eligibility.
Dunne, 21, revealed her decision in a social media video captioned, "Not Dunne Yet."
“These past four years have changed my life. There is something about putting on a purple and gold leotard,” Dunne began. “… And no matter how many opportunities come my way off the mat, there’s just something about LSU. And that’s why I’m here to say, I’m not done yet.
“Here’s to year 5, baby.”
Dunne's announcement came days after she told the New York Post that she was contemplating her gymnastics future.
“I don’t think I’m going to try for the Olympics or anything after, since I once competed for Team USA and I closed that chapter and went to LSU,” Dunne said.
Dunne was among four seniors, along with Elena Arenas, Haleigh Bryant and Chase Brock, on the recent 2023-24 national champion LSU roster, which also included seven graduate students. Bryant, the 2024 NCAA All-Around champion, and Brock had both previously announced their intention to return to LSU for their final year of eligibility.
Arenas retired from gymnastics in an Instagram post shared on June 27 following a senior season in which she was limited due to a back injury.
Dunne is the highest-earning female collegiate athlete with an NIL valuation of $3.9 million, trailing only Colorado Buffaloes football quarterback Shedeur Sanders for the most among all NCAA athletes. The New Jersey native is also the most followed collegiate athlete on social media with 13.2 million cumulative followers on TikTok (7.9 million), Instagram (5.1 million) and X (124.3K).
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