Leanne Wong talked about following Gabby Douglas' path and not closing the door on elite gymnastics since she will soon start her med school journey. Wong traveled to the Paris Games as an alternate alongside Joscelyn Roberson.
Wong, who was part of the gold-winning US women's gymnastics team at the 2022 and 2023 World Championships, made waves at the NCAA level. Having debuted with the Florida Gators in January 2022, she won the balance beam to contribute scores to the Gators' first SEC Championship since 2018. Wong earned her first 10.0 on the balance beam the following season and her second 10.0 on the uneven bars. She helped the Gators team defend the SEC title that year, besides claiming the balance beam win.
In the 2023-24 season, the 21-year-old earned the gym slam as the 15th woman in history after amassing 10.0 in all four apparatuses in a meet against LSU. She started her 2024 elite season with the US Classic, where she won the bronze and continued the momentum at the nationals, thus advancing to the Olympic trials.
Leanne Wong went to the Paris Games as a traveling alternate alongside Joscelyn Roberson. Taking gymnast Gabby Douglas' reference, she acknowledged not closing the opportunity to compete in elite gymnastics as she looks forward to pursuing med school after her senior season as a pre-med student in Florida.
"Med school is always going to be there. It’s just about enjoying the journey and not getting too ahead of yourself. I don’t know. I guess, like, you can never just close the door. So we’ll see. I don’t know… like even Gabby Douglas, she never closed the door," Wong said to Olympics.com.
Gabby Douglas returned to the elite gymnastics mat at the 2024 American Classic since her stint at the Rio Olympics in 2016. Although she couldn't earn a podium or make the Paris Olympic team, the 28-year-old didn't sign off from elite gymnastics.
Leanne Wong will compete at the 2024 Swiss Cup in November
On November 9, 2024, the four-time World medalist will grace the Swiss Cup roster alongside men's national team member, Fuzzy Benas. Also gearing up for her final NCAA season, Leanne Wong expressed gratitude for the opportunity to represent Team USA once again.
“Having another opportunity to represent Team USA… it’s just been super honoring since 2017," Thomas said to Olympics.com.
“It is kind of a fun competition, and I thought it would just be something different that I’ve never done. It’s not a typical four-event meet format, so it’s like, ‘Alright, let’s do it,’” she added.
The 2024 Swiss Cup will take place in Zurich, Switzerland.