Kayla DiCello's withdrawal from Olympic trials following serious Achilles injury sparks outpouring of support from US gymnasts

US gymnastics has rallied around Kayla DiCello after she suffered a ruptured Achilles at the Olympics Trials on Friday night. 

DiCello hit the floor and shook her head after landing on the mats following a double tuck on her vault routine - her first event of the trials.

The 20-year-old, a world bronze medalist, was tipped to secure one of the final spots this summer. Instead Simone Biles will head to Paris alongside Jordan Chiles, Sunisa Lee, Jade Carey and Hezly Rivera, with Joscelyn Roberson and Leanne Wong  travelling alternates.

Now, the 20-year-old DiCello will have to wait until the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles for her chance to represent her country on the biggest stage. 

After DiCello revealed she had suffered a ruptured Achilles, her fellow gymnasts sent messages of support to the Maryland native.

'Kayla - You’re an amazing young woman and a class act. You are an inspiration to so many,' Betty Okino - who won bronze for the US in 1992 - said. 

Okino, now part of the national team staff added: 'It’s been a true privilege and joy to work with you at camps these past couple years. 

'Your work ethic and positive engaged attitude that you bring to everything you do, leaves me without doubt that you will emerge from this experience victorious. You inspire me. I’ll always be cheering you on.'

Plenty of DiCello's contemporaries left comments of support on social media, too.

'Proud of you and wishing you a speedy recovery and healing,' gymnast Ciena Alipio wrote.

Those thoughts were echoed by national team gymnast Katelyn Jong, who added: 'So proud of you and praying for your recovery'

Fellow Olympic hopeful Kaliya Lincoln was also among those to reach out to DiCello, writing: 'Kaylaaa, so unbelievably proud of you and all you have accomplished. You’re not done yet, love you.'

DiCello had announced the news of her injury on Instagram with a heartbreaking statement. 

'Thank you so much for all your love and support. Unfortunately, I ruptured my Achilles on the opening event at Olympic Trials,' the 20-year-old wrote.

'While this is not the result I envisioned, there's so much to be proud of. Years of tireless work and dedication in the gym with the dream of representing my country once more at the Olympic Games,' DiCello continued. 'Pushing myself to go after new skills, new dreams.' 

'There is so much to be thankful for, too. To my coaches, my gym teammates, my family, my friends, and my supporters: I am so thankful for everything you've done for me,' DiCello added. 'It truly takes a village to get to this point, and your support throughout good days and bad has been something I've leaned on more than you know.'

'As I begin my healing journey, I'm thankful for your prayers and good wishes. This is not the end of my story.'