In 2020, the NCAA implemented a policy granting Division I athletes an extra year of eligibility should their spring seasons be cut short by the pandemic. Many athletes seized the opportunity, including LSU gymnast Olivia Dunne, who has faced considerable criticism for her decision to return for a fifth year. But we think it isn’t going to end soon for the LSU gymnast. Why? Dunne has all the answers for the critics.
Dunne has been facing increasing scrutiny over her fifth year at LSU, and she recently addressed the criticism head-on through a TikTok video posted five days ago. The video was a response to a comment on a previous post highlighting LSU gymnastics’ senior night ceremony, where Dunne shared heartfelt reflections on her time with the team. “I only ever see this comment on female athletes’ posts,” Dunne said in the video.
“Football and basketball players redshirt and take fifth years all the time.” She emphasized that her return was made possible by the NCAA’s pandemic-era eligibility extension and expressed confusion over why her choice has sparked such backlash. Dunne also pointed out the double standard, highlighting that LSU football’s starting quarterback, Garrett Nussmeier, is also returning for a fifth year without facing the same scrutiny.
One fan jokingly commented on her TikTok, “Is Livvy a 9th year senior at this point or am I just bad at keeping track of time?” While the remark was likely made in jest, it reflects the ongoing discourse surrounding Olivia Dunne’s extended college career. Despite the criticism, Dunne’s impact at LSU extends far beyond the gym. Over the past four years, she has leveraged her success into lucrative endorsement deals and even secured a coveted spot in the 2024 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue.
@livvy You can run but you can’t hide @kailin chio #gymnastics #college #lsu #gameday ♬ original sound – Bofem
Her biggest achievement and success with the LSU Tigers, includes winning the NCAA Championship in 2024. However, her last and fifth year with LSU hasn’t been great so far. She sustained a knee injury on December 19 last year, just before the start of the new collegiate season. Regardless, she remains focused on making the most of her final season at LSU, both as an athlete and a social media powerhouse.
Fans Call Out Olivia Dunne as LSU Gymnast Opted for Fifth Year in College
Many TikTok users and fans have commented on Dunne’s videos, criticizing and making jokes about her final year at LSU. One fan humorously remarked, “Been in college so long she could prolly be your daughter,” referencing a video which Dunne made in collaboration with freshman teammate Kailin Chio, highlighting Chio’s first-year.
Another fan quipped, “Livvy gonna still be in college when Paul retires,” making a playful jab at her long collegiate career in relation to her boyfriend, Paul Skenes, who is currently in his second year of college. Another user jokingly called Dunne “the Joel Embiid of college gymnastics,” likening her extended college stay to the NBA star’s own drawn-out collegiate journey before turning pro.
One fan even asked outright, “How long has she been at LSU? I swear I’ve seen her there for the longest time,” reinforcing the perception that Dunne has been in the NCAA for an unusually long period. Despite the lighthearted teasing and criticism, Dunne remains focused on her final season at LSU. Dunne’s decision has become a talking point, underscoring the ongoing double standards in collegiate sports.
The post Calls Mount for Olivia Dunne as LSU Tigers’ Eligibility Thrown Back in Face: “9th Year Senior” appeared first on EssentiallySports.
