Olivia Dunne Breaks Silence on Kentucky Derby Mishap

Over the weekend, former LSU gymnast Olivia Dunne made headlines - in all the wrong ways - when she struggled with her "Riders Up" call ahead of the Kentucky Derby.

Fans flocked to social media to call Dunne out for her performance - which lasted all of 12 seconds. "Terrible. She doesn’t know horses or the event. Just stupid publicity," one person said.

"Why she looking down so much can she not remember 2 sentences?" questioned another.

After Dunne posted a new video on TikTok showing off her dress from the event, a fan commented, "You introducing the race was a tough watch." She didn't hide from the issue, revealing, "I couldn’t hear myself because of the echo of the microphone 😭."

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Late last month Dunne announced her retirement from the sport of gymnastics following LSU's loss in the NCAA's.

“Time flies when you're having fun,” Dunne, who helped the team to a national title in 2024, said. “That's exactly how the past 20 years in this sport have felt. Gymnastics, you have filled my heart and will always be a part of me. You’ve shaped me into the person I am today, creating memories and sisterhoods that will last a lifetime beyond the sport. You are my first love.”

In the video message, Dunne also thanked her parents, club coaches and the LSU staff for their contributions to her career and development.

“And yes, time did fly by,” she said in the closing moments of the video. “And I will cherish every memory for the rest of my life. Thank you for everything, gymnastics. You were so good to me.”

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