Skye Blakely returns a veteran to the global stage: It's all about the mindset
Consistent in 2023, the 18-year-old's experience has shown through all season long
Artistic Gymnastics
U.S. gymnast Skye Blakely’s is hoping to take a step foward this week at the 2023 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Antwerp, Belgium.
The 18-year-old is returns to the global meet after helping Team USA to a historic sixth-straight world team title a year ago in Liverpool.
That experience has her feeling like a veteran ahead of the U.S.'s qualifying competition on Sunday (1 October 2023).
"It's like, 'Okay, I'm back here.' I kind of know what to expect, what I'm dealing with," said Blakely after official practice in Antwerp. "So it feels good, like, a little more prepared."
She's looked prepared all year long, showing what has become trademark consistency in competition especially on the uneven bars and balance where she will likely contribute big scores for Team USA.
"I guess a mindset, just focusing on the way I think about things, you know, just trying to stay more calm overall," said Blakely of what has led to her steady performances in 2023.
The next step
Blakely had an unexpected chance at the Tokyo 2020 Games after the COVID-19 pandemic delay. That process provided her with valuable experience.
“It was my first year senior, I was competing with older people that I just only watched, so it was a different cool experience,” recalled Blakely in an exclusive interview with Olympics.com earlier this year. “I feel like it taught me a lot, how to compete with different levels of gymnasts, and I think I really needed that going forward [to]… bigger competitions.”
She's hoping that experience - plus those from last year's global meet - pays off in Antwerp with a return trip to the balance beam final where Blakely was just one skill away from a medal in 2022.
"My first thing is always, most importantly, have fun and do my best and to be happy with how I did," said Blakely of her goals. "But it's definitely to go in, do well in qualifications, qualify for an event final and to walk away with medals."
Blakely on Paris 2024: “I’ve always been striving for that”
With the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris fast approaching, Blakely is feeling confident after a strong performances at the recent U.S. national team camps and competitions.
But, she's not one to rest on her laurels.
“Something that inspires me or something I want to get to, I write it down and I put it somewhere where I can see it often because I feel like that encourages me and reminds me of where I want to be,” said Blakely.
She won’t need much of a reminder of where she hopes to be next summer. The Games in the French capital have been her dream for as long as she can remember.
“My long term goal is, of course, the 2024 Olympics,” said Blakely. “I’ve always been striving for that.”
Blakely says she first fell in love with the Olympics watching the 2012 Games in London. She later homed in on Paris as the Games that would be her time.
While the Games aren’t Blakely’s sole focus (“I don’t like to talk about it too much, make it my whole life.”), the beacon of Paris 2024 has been a guiding light whenever she’s needed one.
“Especially on the hard days in the gym, I’ll look ahead to my big goal … and that kind of pushes me forward knowing that that’s where I want to be,” Blakely said. “I have to work hard for that. So, it has always encouraged me to keep going.”