Olympic gymnast Jade Carey has been unwell during the Paris Olympics. The 24-year-old could not eat before competing and spoke out about her health, causing public concern.
Superstar gymnast Jade Carey, 24, has been struggling at the Paris Olympics. The Team USA gymnast shared candid statements about her health and its impact on her performance. A widely shared video of one of her performances has been circulating, prompting concern.
This year’s Olympic Games look very different for Carey compared to when she scored a gold medal in the floor exercise at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
Speaking to Olympics.com after the opening day of the women’s competition on July 28, Carey explained, “I just have not been feeling well the past few days and haven’t been able to eat or anything.”
Carey, the only team member from the US to speak to the press, continued, “I had, like, no energy today and didn’t really have a sense of what was going on in my head.”
She clarified that her intention in sharing this information is so that the public is aware that there is something wrong health-wise, rather than her simply being nervous about competing.
A video shared on TikTok of Carey’s performance provides more context. The footage shows Carey executing somersaults, forward flips, and back flips on the competition floor.
However, just as she lands on her feet after her final flip, she loses her balance and tumbles onto the floor. To lessen the blow, Carey used her hands as back springs to stop her body from rolling off the mat.
Upon seeing the video, many took to online platforms to express their worry for Carey, especially regarding her physical appearance. “As a fellow Extremely Pale Girl and mom of Pale Children Who Get Sick, I thought she looked extra wan today from the jump. Poor kid,” wrote one observer.
Another echoed, “I thought she looked really pale and out of it.” Referring to Carey’s admission of feeling unwell for days, another person expressed, “Days!? Shouldn’t USAG have subbed in Josc in this case?”
“Watching it live was so scary I literally was silent,” noted someone on TikTok. Another added, “She was sick and it looks like you can tell and the lack of eating anything she looks like the routine was disorienting her.”
Taking to Instagram after the Women’s Qualification event on July 28, Carey shared a post addressing her performance.
“all heart 🤍 not the day i was expecting to have but i can’t thank you all enough for the love and support. i am so proud of this team and what we accomplished today,” she penned in her caption alongside a carousel of images of her and her team members at the event.
Ending her message with determination, Carey stated, “we’re not done yet.” The USA women’s gymnastics team competes in the Women’s Team Final today, including the floor, balance beam, uneven bars, and vault events.
According to the official Instagram account for USA Gymnastics, Carey will compete in the vault event. She will be joined by fellow team members Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles. Biles, Chiles, and Sunisa Lee will also lead the charge for uneven bars, balance beam, and floor events.
Reacting to the news that Carey will not compete in other events like floor, balance beam, and uneven bars, an Instagram user asserted, “I’m shocked Carey won’t compete on floor.” Another insisted, “Put Carey back on the floor RIGHT NOW.”
Carey’s mom, Danielle Greenberg, shared an update with “Today” on July 29 concerning her daughter’s health. “She’s doing much better today. Trying to hydrate, get some food in, ready to go,” disclosed Greenberg. We wish Carey a speedy recovery and the best as she competes and represents her country.
