Tokyo 2020 Gold medalist Jade Carey is ready to write her final gymnastics chapter without any regrets. She was the first American to qualify for the Olympics as an individual specialist.

The 25-year-old American star, Jade Carey, has finally returned to the elite competition this spring after staying away for nearly two years. Her return is not just about testing her skills but also about coming back with a timeline in mind.

"I do really fully see this next three years or whatever it is, two years, as the end of my gymnastics journey," Carey told Olympics.com. "So really just going out with being proud of myself and knowing that I gave it my all."

Her comeback gives the fan a clear picture of how instead of worrying about medals, she just wants to be proud of her work. Setting a timeline will help her to enjoy the sport and finish her career knowing she gave her best.

The Team USA gymnast last competed in the 2024 Olympics in Paris, where she helped the team to win a gold medal in the team final and won an individual bronze medal on the vault. She had previously won a gold medal in floor exercise at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

After Paris, she stepped away from the elite competitions and took a year-long break. The time she spent away from the sport helped her gain a deeper perspective, where her thoughts were not just limited to coming back but also to realizing more than that.

"I don't want to regret that later down the road I didn't give it one more shot," she said.

Carey wanted to avoid the feeling of “what if” and instead chose to return and avoid the feeling of regret for passing up the chance to give one final shot.

Carey will return at the American Classic next month. This will mark her comeback after not competing since the end of her NCAA career last April, and thus, it will be interesting to see her again in the elite competitions.

Jade Carey Set to Return For American Classic

The two-time Olympic champion is returning next month at the American Classic in Minneapolis, which is going to be held from June 25 to 28. She had announced her comeback last month on her social media after taking a year-long career break.

"Pretty easy floor routine... for me... and stuff like that," Carey said of the plan for her return. She clarified that she is prioritising a safe and clean routine over a difficult one right now.

The 25-year-old said that initially she did not even touch her equipment for the first few months of her break.

"I'd watch the [Oregon State] girls, and I'd be like, 'Yeah, no, thanks. I'm good'," Carey said.

She said she only started her training earlier this year, but due to a hip injury, she started slowly. For eight weeks, she was unable to do any around-offs or practise vaults.

To be consistent and improve with time, she founded innovative ways, like including double-doubles out of standing back handsprings on the TumblTrak.

Her prime focus has been rebuilding endurance for the floor exercise. “I'm overall happy with where I'm at right now,” Carey said, “and just remembering that it's only May.”

It is her resilience that makes her comeback even more exciting to watch, and fans are equally excited to see her back on the mat.

Read more at Gymnastics Digest!

Written by

Sebi Mehta

Edited by

Kaamna Dwivedi