Jade Carey Opens Up on Olympic Comeback and New Role Ahead of LA 2028
Vault - CAREY Jade USA celebrates on podium during the 2024 Artistic Gymnastics Olympics Games at Arena Bercy on August 03, 2024 in Paris, France. Photo by federico pestellini / DPPI / Panoramic - JO 2024 : GYMNASTIQUE - Jeux Olympiques 2024 - Paris2024 - Paris - 03/08/2024 DPPI/Panoramic PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxFRAxBEL
Vault - CAREY Jade USA celebrates on podium during the 2024 Artistic Gymnastics Olympics Games at Arena Bercy on August 03, 2024 in Paris, France. Photo by federico pestellini / DPPI / Panoramic - JO 2024 : GYMNASTIQUE - Jeux Olympiques 2024 - Paris2024 - Paris - 03/08/2024 DPPI/Panoramic PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxFRAxBEL
With the American Classics in about two days, Olympic medalist Jade Carey isn’t just set to return. She’s ready to dive into the competitive realm with a whole new role.
“I really want to kind of be able to be a leader for them, and be able to be that person that they can come to," she told Olympics.com in an exclusive interview, published on June 25, 2026. "I know how hard it is, and I know what it takes. So, kind of just be the sounding board for them…”
This will be her first professional return to the elite competition since the 2024 Paris Games, where she earned a team gold and vault bronze. But this time, Carey wouldn’t be surrounded by the familiar faces, like gymnastics stars Simone Biles, Jordan Chiles, Sunisa Lee, etc.
April 17, 2025, Fort Worth, US: JADE CAREY from Oregon State in action during the semifinals held at the DickieÃââ s Arena in Fort Worth, Texas. Fort Worth US - ZUMAs146 20250417_fap_s146_453 Copyright: xAmyxSandersonx
April 17, 2025, Fort Worth, US: JADE CAREY from Oregon State in action during the semifinals held at the DickieÃââ s Arena in Fort Worth, Texas. Fort Worth US - ZUMAs146 20250417_fap_s146_453 Copyright: xAmyxSandersonx
Without Biles, Chiles, and Lee competing elite this year, Carey will anchor a new generation. And instead of going full competitive mode, her role will be to help the younger gymnasts, as she has done as a student assistant coach at Oregon State University in 2025.
“(Being) able to be there for them,” the gymnast told Olympics.com further, in the same segment. “I think that's something that I really want to focus on. And help this new generation of girls coming up."
The Olympian wouldn’t deny the fun of doing this with her previous peers. But she’d admit why doing it without them also matters.
Jade Carey Highlighted the Importance of Being a Veteran
Carey, who’s eyeing the 2028 LA Games, knew she’d have enjoyed performing with the Paris squad once more. But there’s a reason why competing with the younger gymnasts matters, even for a veteran like her.
“It would just be crazy and so fun for us to be able to do that again together," she said of the Paris gymnasts in the same interview. "But also be able to pass along the knowledge and what we learned and really be there for the people coming next, because it's definitely not lasting forever for all of us."
Clearing the American Classics and US Classics would smooth her journey to the US Championship set for August. The US Championship will serve as the qualifier for the 2026 World Championship, which ultimately will lead to the LA28.
Do you think Carey will be able to reach that stage with the new faces she’s set to compete with? Let us know in the comments.
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Written by
Deblina Roy