Atlanta Dream star Angel Reese and college gymnastics standout Livvy Dunne turned LSU’s Tiger Walk into an alumni reunion on Saturday. The two former NCAA stars marched into Death Valley together before the Tigers’ home football game against Alabama — and the clip quickly went viral.
Angel Reese & Livvy Dunne Reunite for LSU Football Game
Reese and Dunne joined a celebrity lineup that first-year LSU coach Lane Kiffin assembled for the walk. The group included fellow LSU alumni Shaquille O’Neal and Paul Skenes, along with actor Kevin Costner.
O’Neal even flashed Reese’s “too small” taunt back at her, drawing laughs. Dunne, a former NCAA gymnast, filmed herself with Kiffin’s daughter, Landry, before kickoff.
Reese led LSU women's basketball to the 2023 national title, while Dunne built a massive following as a Tigers gymnast. Their return delighted fans, as crowds gathered to welcome back some of the school's most famous faces.
Celebrity Reunion Goes Viral Despite Tigers Loss
On the field, the day belonged to Alabama.
The No. 5 Crimson Tide rolled past No. 14 LSU 31-13. However, the celebrities drew more buzz than the final score, serving as a much-needed bright spot ahead of a rough outing.
“Lane Kiffin brought out the Avengers for the Tiger Walk,” one fan wrote on Instagram.
After winning all-around gold at the 2026 World Championships in Rotterdam, USA Gymnastics rising star Skye Blakely will headline the 2027 Xfinity US Gymnastics Championships. The competition heads to Tampa's Benchmark International Arena next August, with six-time Olympic medalist Suni Lee and ex-UCLA standout Jordan Chiles likely in tow.
Suni Lee, Jordan Chiles Join Skye Blakely in Tampa
Both Lee and Chiles have signaled a return to elite competition ahead of the 2028 Summer Games.
Meanwhile, three-time Olympic medalist Jade Carey has already returned to the 2026 lineup, joined by 2024 Olympic gold medalist Hezly Rivera. Together with Chiles, Lee, and Blakely, the team's presence could turn the 2027 US Gymnastics Championships into an early preview of next summer's Olympic trials.
2027 USA Gymnastics National Congress Splits the Bill
Outside of the arena, the 2027 USA Gymnastics National Congress & Trade Show coincides with the August championships in Tampa.
The trade show draws thousands of coaches, judges, and exhibitors for educational sessions alongside the annual Hall of Fame induction.
Tampa last hosted both events in 2022. But, with the 2027 World Championships taking over in China later that year, national title contenders like Blakely, Chiles, and Lee will have plenty on the line.
The event runs August 12-15, with the National Congress & Trade Show kicking off August 13th. All-session tickets are available now via Ticketmaster.
Skye Blakely’s comeback is complete. The 21-year-old USA Gymnastics star earned her first-career all-around title at the 2026 World Gymnastics Championships in Rotterdam.
All three all-around medals were decided by less than one point. Blakely’s score of 55.733 across all four apparatuses edged Russia’s Liudmila Roshchina (55.199) and China’s Ke Qinqin (55.032).
“To see it really come to be tonight, it makes me so proud of myself,” Blakely said. “And makes me reflect on little me who would dream of this.”
Blakely’s victory punctuates a comeback years in the making. She was forced to withdraw from the 2024 US Olympic Trials with an Achilles injury.
She earned four medals overall — all-around gold, team silver, and bronze in vault and uneven bars — coming in second behind legend Simone Biles in medals won at a single World Championships.
“Throughout the meet, I was telling myself, ‘Do it for the girl in 2021, and the girl in 2024 who couldn’t do everything, just fight for her,’” Blakely added.
A dynasty’s grip has slipped, as China won the women’s team title at this week’s 2026 World Gymnastics Championships to snap a 15-year US reign spanning seven straight championships.
China posted 165.764 to USA Gymnastics’ 165.531, marking the closest team final since Russia edged the US in 2010.
The defending champion led at the halfway mark and won the uneven bars, but the balance beam proved decisive — Dulcy Caylor fell on her dismount while China’s Zhang Qingying anchored the rotation with a 15.066.
The US took silver to lock up its 2028 LA Olympics berth, as Skye Blakely — the team's only Worlds veteran — and Claire Pease shift focus to Friday’s all-around final before setting down the path to 2027 Worlds in China.
“We know where we want to be, and we know there’s still work to do,” said US team leader Chellsie Memmel. “We have the time, and I think it’s going to light a fire in them.”
The World Gymnastics Championships run through Sunday (Peacock).
The stars of gymnastics are shining, as the world’s top eight qualifying nations prepare to do battle in Wednesday’s World Gymnastics Championships team final.
The US has won the team title seven consecutive times since 2011, but finished second in this week’s qualifying round — narrowly trailing China’s score of 164.996.
USA Gymnastics also found itself shorthanded, as 2024 Olympian Hezly Rivera withdrew from the competition with an ankle injury.
21-year-old Skye Blakely has stepped up in Rivera’s absence, taking second in All-Around qualifying as she returns from the Achilles injury that kept her from the 2024 Summer Games.
Blakely racked up 55.465 points in her world all-around debut, falling slightly behind Algerian Olympic gold medalist Kaylia Nemour’s 55.999.
“I already cried, but it just means the world to me,” said Blakely. “Knowing how much I’ve been through: two major surgeries, a lot of hardships, ups and downs.”
World Championships coverage runs through Sunday (Peacock).
Three Russian gymnasts, including two-time world all-around champion Angelina Melnikova, will miss the 2026 World Gymnastics Championships after the Netherlands denied their visa applications ahead of the October competition in Rotterdam.
Olympic team champion Viktoria Listunova and European all-around silver medalist Anna Kalmykova were also blocked from entry for the event. Because the championship serves as an early gateway to team berths at the 2028 LA Olympics, the denied gymnast visas could cost Russia crucial quota spots.
World Gymnastics Responds to Russian Federation Critique
On Wednesday, World Gymnastics addressed the unfortunate situation, stating it "fully regrets the negative impact" on the Russian delegation.
It also acknowledged that visa approvals fall outside the governing body's control. The organization added that it's still working with Dutch officials and the Russian federation to resolve the problem.
Meanwhile, Russia's sports minister Mikhail Degtyaryov called for the event to lose its Olympic qualifying designation. The Russian Gymnastics Federation went further, calling the denials "a deliberate elimination of the strongest gymnasts from contention," and signaling it will take the matter to the IOC.
Despite the high-profile refusals, other members of Russia's delegation did receive clearance. Dutch authorities approved 47 of the country's 61 visa requests ahead of the event.
Skylar Draser is out at Florida gymnastics. The NCAA program confirmed Wednesday that the senior, along with juniors Ly Bui and Lily Bruce, are "no longer members" of the three-time national championship team.
Why Did Florida Release 3 Gymnasts?
Head coach Jenny Rowland offered little explanation for the departures beyond a brief statement.
"Our focus remains on supporting our athletes and maintaining a team culture built on accountability, respect and commitment," Rowland said.
Still, the move represents a notable loss for the women's college gymnastics program. Draser opened the beam rotation for the Gators across much of last year and posted a career-high 9.95 on the event. She also contributed on vault and occasionally competed on bars.
Bui, who joined the Gators at 16 after graduating high school early, spent two seasons primarily on vault before injuries limited her availability.
Bruce did not appear in competitive lineups during her time at Florida, though she logged three exhibition bars appearances during the 2026 season. All three earned WCGA Scholastic All-American honors during their time at the school.
Draser Speaks Out Against 'Disturbing' Online Rumors
After the announcement, Draser posted on Instagram that she plans to transfer once she graduates in December. She also called out rumors online surrounding her departure.
"I never imagined that stepping away from Florida in the middle of my final year would mean seeing my name circulating online attached to so many hurtful, and disturbing false narratives," she wrote.
"While I cannot control what others choose to say or believe, I know the truth, I know my character, and I know what I gave to this program."
Simone Biles is keeping everyone guessing about LA 28. The 29-year-old, who will turn 31 before the 2028 LA Olympics opening ceremony, told the Associated Press she's still weighing whether to pursue a fourth Games.
"I don't know what the decision (is) I should make, but I don't necessarily have to make it just yet," Biles said.
Is Simone Biles Already Training for LA28?
Still, the pull of a home Games clearly has her attention. She recently hit a double layout in the gym with her sister Adria, just to see if she still could. The answer, apparently, was yes.
"Like a home Olympic Games, like, how could you not?" Biles said. "It's absolutely incredible."
Of course, this time around, Biles is factoring in family planning with her husband, Jonathan Owens, something that didn't apply during earlier Olympic cycles. Meanwhile, several of her USA Gymnastics teammates are already working toward LA. Suni Lee, Jordan Chiles, and Jade Carey have each signaled they're training with 2028 Olympic Games in mind.
Biles hasn't competed since her Paris 2024 performance, where she became the third woman to win multiple Olympic all-around golds. Still, for now at least, another run isn't off the table.
Simone Biles swapped the balance beam for the front row at this year's New York Fashion Week. The 11-time Olympic medalist sat beside Venus Williams at the Simkhai Spring 2027 NYFW presentation, sporting a plum A-line dress with matching knee-high boots.
But she wasn't the only athlete making an entrance in Manhattan.
Alexandra Eala Joins Women's Sports Athletes in NYFW Takeover
Alexandra Eala subsequently logged the busiest NYFW schedule of any sports figure. She appeared at Calvin Klein, Tory Burch, and Michael Kors across the week. Coming off her first WTA title and solid US Open run, the Filipino tennis sensation also crossed paths with Anna Wintour — who called herself a "big fan."
"I love that in tennis, we're able to express ourselves through fashion," Eala said.
Beyond Biles and Eala, the runway-to-arena pipeline kept growing. Two-time Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles wore a black feathered dress and rhinestone heels to the Simkhai show. Dallas Wings guard Azzi Fudd went with a laid-back varsity jacket look at Coach. And six-time Olympic medalist Suni Lee brought a preppy edge to Tommy Hilfiger.
The fashion world has long embraced women athletes, as Olympic gymnasts, WNBA rookies, and WTA rising stars pull front-row seats at this season's NYFW.
Simone Biles gave Cleveland's newest WNBA franchise a boost this week when she showed up in a Cleveland Sirens hat during a TikTok video posted on September 5th. The Columbus, Ohio native paired the Lake Erie blue cap with a trampoline session full of tumbling passes and midair twists that looked like a scaled-down floor routine.
Simone Biles Hints at LA28 Olympics Campaign
Simone Biles's caption only added to the social media buzz.
"Full send 2028 or no??!!" Biles wrote, fueling ongoing speculation about whether she'll compete at the 2028 LA Olympics.
She would be 31 by then, but after earning three golds and a silver at the 2024 Paris Games, few are counting her out — including Cleveland's front office.
@simonebilesowens still have pit in my eyes & will probably need to get a massage. #gymnastics ♬ original sound - Simone Biles
Cleveland Sirens Buzz Growing Beyond WNBA Fans
The Sirens' official TikTok account responded to the post with a string of blue heart emojis, and Biles liked the reply. The team revealed its name and branding on August 4th at Rocket Arena ahead of its planned 2028 debut.
For women's sports fans, the exchange between the decorated Olympian and the WNBA team was a welcome sign that the expansion franchise is building buzz well beyond Ohio.