Amari Celestine Announces Elite Intentions

[RedBirdie]

Seems like a long shot to qualify elite, let alone be in serious contention for 2028.

Amari Celestine reignites Olympic dream, eyes LA 2028 – allthingsgympod.com

allthingsgympod.com

 

[MaryClare]

I think we all knew there would be some crazy attempts at LA. But when I first read this, I assumed she had dual nationality

 

[Turtle88]

I think we all knew there would be some crazy attempts at LA. But when I first read this, I assumed she had dual nationality

Me too!

 

[irichluck21]

She intends to do elite in the US so she must be going for the US team, since elites who intend to compete for another country cannot compete in domestic meets. At least that is what I am reading since she intends to compete the Kentucky Winter Classic and Elite National Qualifier.

I am excited for her, her NCAA career is over and she's not ready to give up gymnastics.

That said she can try elite in US for 2026 and maybe if she has an opportunity elsewhere switch nationalities. She competed a 1 1/2 Yurchenko performed extremely well and has elite level tumbling. More than enough if she can get bars and beam to a level 10ish set to qualify as an individual. But from that interview it's hard to tell if she aims for AA or just as a specialist on VT/FX.

 

[MaryClare]

She intends to do elite in the US so she must be going for the US team, since elites who intend to compete for another country cannot compete in domestic meets. At least that is what I am reading since she intends to compete the Kentucky Winter Classic and Elite National Qualifier.

I am excited for her, her NCAA career is over and she's not ready to give up gymnastics.

That said she can try elite in US for 2026 and maybe if she has an opportunity elsewhere switch nationalities. She competed a 1 1/2 Yurchenko performed extremely well and has elite level tumbling. More than enough if she can get bars and beam to a level 10ish set to qualify as an individual. But from that interview it's hard to tell if she aims for AA or just as a specialist on VT/FX.

Other than US nationals, elites from other countries can compete at domestic meets.

 

[RedBirdie]

I think USAG changed the rules again regarding foreign elites.

 

[MaryClare]

I think USAG changed the rules again regarding foreign elites.

How does that work? Because if someone is a US national and has the qualifying score, then they are surely eligible. They don’t become “not American” until they have a FIG licence for another country

 

[RedBirdie]

Sorry, by foreign elites I meant anyone who competes for another country. You're right that an American citizen who has qualified elite in the US system can compete until they declare for another country. But as soon as they make their intention to compete for another country, the door is closed to competing as an elite at USAG domestic meets.

Interestingly enough, I think an American with dual citizenship that represents another country as elite can compete as a level 10 and qualify to 10 nationals.

USAG allowing MDJDS compete at US Classic was highly unusual.

 

[Denn]

I don't know this gymnast, so I watched a bunch of videos. Her vault's great. That likely would score better than most doubles, honestly.



I'm not seeing the potential to compete for a US team spot, but maybe she's got some tricks up her sleeve? Her full-in on FX is excellent — I could see that being a double double.

She used to do 1.5 + front layout. If that became a front full, it would be great.

And she's very clean in her leaps. So maybe she could be an E-score maximizer?