Ever since MyKayla Skinner deferred her senior season at the University of Utah in hopes of qualifying for and competing in the 2021 Olympics, fans have wondered when — and more importantly if — she’d come back to Utah for one final go-around.
There is now an answer to that question. Skinner revealed during Reddit’s AMA (Ask Me Anything) series Thursday afternoon that she will be back at Utah in time for the 2021-22 season and, health permitting, will compete.
“After the Olympics, I will be moving back to Utah,” Skinner said. “My plan is to compete, but things could change. So just seeing how my body feels after all of this. I have one year of school left!”
She continued, “My husband (Jonas Harmer) and I are moving back to Utah after the summer to finish school. I would love to be a sports broadcaster or start a leotard and athletic line. And then start a family!”
The caveat regarding her health has merit, as that has been a concern lately. She was hospitalized with pneumonia after contracting COVID-19 late last year, and just before that in September, she suffered a foot injury that forced her to take some time away from training. All told, Skinner was out of the gym for a month, a hiatus that took a toll.
“It’s been really hard to stay positive through all of this but I didn’t give up and kept pushing my self really hard in the gym and I’m doing really well,” Skinner said in the AMA. “So I would definitely say COVID has been such a struggle. Even tho(ugh) I didn’t want the Olympics to be postponed I thought ‘I guess this gives me more time to get better,’ but then it’s just been a struggle and I’m ready for things to get back to normal.”
Through it all, Skinner remains committed to making a run at the Olympics and is expected to compete at the U.S. Classic in Indianapolis, Indiana, on May 22, the U.S. Championships in Fort Worth, Texas, from June 3-6 and finally the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in St. Louis, Missouri, from June 24-27.