What to Know About USA Olympic Gymnast Carey Jade, 24, & Why She Fell During Floor Routine

U.S. gymnast Jade Carey is known for her strength and precision in all her routines. Her fall and missteps during her floor routine at the 2024 Olympics raised questions and the unexpected nature of her performance elicited strong reactions from viewers.

As Jade has always been a standout performer, this incident left many wondering about the cause behind her uncharacteristic display. Her journey to this point has been anything but ordinary. Understanding her background and achievements explains why this fall was so surprising.

Who is Jade Carey?

Jade’s passion for gymnastics began early in her life, showing promise in the sport as a toddler. Unlike many gymnasts who start competing at the elite level in their early teens, Jade took a different path.

She entered the elite level at 17 in 2017. In the same year, she went from being virtually unknown to winning two silver medals at the World Championships.

Standing at 5-foot-2, Jade gained significant recognition during the Tokyo Olympics. She was brought to Tokyo for her individual medal potential on vault and floor exercise.

There was a setback in the vault final, where a trip on her run ended her medal hopes, but Jade showed great resilience. Within 24 hours of what she called “the worst day of her life,” she returned to the floor finals.

She nailed her routine, securing a gold medal for the United States, marking the third consecutive gold for the U.S. in this event. Since Tokyo, Jade has continued to shine on the world stage. She also competes in NCAA events as a key member of Oregon State’s gymnastics team.

The gymnast has achieved what enthusiasts call a “Gym Slam,” scoring perfect 10s in all four events. In her NCAA career, Jade has scored two 10s on vault, two on uneven bars, one on balance beam, and six in floor exercise. She is the 13th gymnast in NCAA history to achieve this feat.

One of Jade’s most impressive skills is the laid-out version of the triple-double, a move that only a few women have attempted. Although she never competed with this skill, her training efforts were enough to impress the gymnastics community.

Additionally, Jade has a skill named after her in the level 10 Code of Points—a tucked Kasamatsu full-on vault, known as “The Carey.” Her accolades include being named the Pac-12 Gymnast of the Year in both 2022 and 2023, and the Pac-12 Freshman of the Year in 2022.

She has also been a finalist for the Honda Award for three consecutive years (2022 to 2024). Her success is not limited to individual awards. She has won many medals, including golds at the Pan American and World Championships.

Behind Jade’s incredible achievements is a supportive family and a unique journey that has shaped her into the gymnast she is today.

Personal Life and Family Support

Jade’s supportive family has strongly influenced her career in gymnastics. Born in 2000, her passion for the sport began in 2001. With her parents owning a gym, it was only natural for her to start playing around on the equipment and later enroll in gymnastics classes.

At four, Jade surprised her parents with a flawless, self-taught cartwheel. This prompted them to take her training more seriously. Both parents, Brian Carey and Danielle Greenberg, are deeply involved in the sport. Brian is a gym owner and coach, and Danielle is a gymnastics coach.

Their involvement has played a crucial role in Jade’s growth and success. Brian has been Jade’s coach throughout her career, guiding her from early training to elite competitions. Even after Jade went to college, Brian still supported her, visiting often to help her prepare for upcoming events.

His dedication was recognized when he was hired as an assistant coach at Oregon State University in July 2023. Despite their divorce, Jade’s parents have maintained an amicable relationship, ensuring her training schedule is never disrupted.

Jade also shares a close bond with her three siblings, particularly her younger sister Taeva, who is also a gymnast. This strong family support system has allowed Jade to focus on her goals and achieve great heights in her career.

The Fall at Paris 2024 Olympics

On Sunday, July 28, the women’s gymnastics competition at the Paris 2024 Olympics didn’t meet the expectations of fans and viewers. Jade’s performance was surprising and concerning and she seemed out of her element.

Known for her strong routines, Jade unexpectedly fell during her last tumbling pass on the floor. She also stepped out of bounds three times, which resulted in a significant deduction and a score of 10.63. This prevented her from qualifying for the finals in that event, a shock to many who have followed her successful career.

The reaction from fans and experts was immediate and strong. Comments ranged from concern for her safety to expressions of sadness and disappointment.

“That was not safe. She shouldn’t have been out there,” commented one worried fan. Another said, “So sad.” Carey’s fall was surprising given her history of impressive performances and her reputation for executing complex skills with ease.

Jade later revealed that she had been feeling unwell in the days leading up to the competition. “I just have not been feeling well the past few days and haven’t been able to eat or anything,” she shared in an interview.

She assured fans that it wasn’t nerves affecting her performance. “I had no energy today and didn’t have a sense of what was going on in my head. So, I just wanted people to know that so they know that there’s actually something wrong,” she said.

Three-time Olympic champion Aly Raisman noted that no matter how much athletes prepare, unexpected issues like illness can severely impact performance. She expressed her sadness over Jade’s condition and commended her for doing an unbelievable job despite being unwell.

Another fan expressed sympathy, saying, “I feel so sad for Jade! I can hardly walk to the bathroom when I have the flu and she is out there doing her floor routine at the Olympics! She is amazing.” This sentiment was echoed by many others, with supporters hoping for her quick recovery and success.

Adding to the challenge, Jade’s father and coach, Brian, had also been unwell. On July 25, USA Gymnastics posted on social media, “Coach Brian Carey is not feeling well today and will miss Women’s Podium Training. He will return to the team soon.”

This situation undoubtedly added stress to Jade’s preparation and performance. Despite the setbacks and the unexpected fall, Jade continued to compete and update fans on her recovery.

Recovery and Moving Forward

Shortly after her fall, Jade showed her commitment to moving forward. On July 29, her mother, Danielle, provided an update about her daughter’s health. “She’s doing much better today,” Danielle stated. “Trying to hydrate, get some food in, ready to go.”

Jade’s dedication paid off as she and her team secured a gold medal in the team all-around event. Team USA included Simone Biles whom Jade once said supported her to win the Tokyo Olympics.

Reflecting on the experience, Carey shared her joy. “It feels special to be part of the team. I had so much fun contributing last night and doing what we love,” she said, “Taking home a gold medal feels special.”

The atmosphere in the arena and the support from fans were also significant boosts for her. “There was so much energy. The crowd was awesome and hearing them chant USA was just so special. And so I’m grateful for everyone in the stands and it was awesome to know that my family was up there,” she added.

Jade continued to update her fans about her health as she prepared for the vault finale. She expressed gratitude for her training and determination, which helped her persevere through the tough days.

“I was feeling a lot better. So that definitely helped. But just knowing that I’ve trained for this my whole life. So a few days of not feeling well isn’t going to be the end of the world,” she said.

“I still knew what I needed to do. I felt really good. I knew that I had one job yesterday and it was to do the best I could. So I think I did the best that I could have done. So I just really wanted to make sure that I gave it my all for them,” Jade stated.

Jade Carey’s journey through the highs and lows of her career shows her exceptional talent and determination. From her early days in her parents’ gym to her achievements on the world stage, she has displayed strength and dedication.

Her unexpected fall at the Paris 2024 Olympics highlighted the unpredictable nature of sports. It also showcased the challenges athletes can face, even at the top of their game.

The support from her family, especially her parents and siblings, has been a cornerstone of her success. Their encouragement and involvement have helped Jade navigate the demanding elite gymnastics.

Her recovery and success in later events proved her resilience. Despite the Paris setback, she stayed focused on her goals. Jade’s story is far from over.

As she continues to compete and inspire others, her legacy in gymnastics is already significant. The world looks forward to seeing what she will achieve next. Her journey will undoubtedly include more remarkable moments and achievements.