- Olivia Dunne was announced as a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Newbie at 21 years old
- For the LSU gymnast, it’s another important moment in a turbulent year
- provides the latest international sports news
Olivia Dunne has followed in the footsteps of Emily Ratajkowski and Olivia Culpo and been named a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Rookie.
The LSU gymnast posed on the cover earlier this year after taking photos in Puerto Rico, and the 21-year-old was excited about the chance to return in 2024.
“Coming back for second grade, I said last year that it was a dream come true and nothing has changed,” she said.
“It’s still a dream come true.” I can’t believe I can call myself a newbie. It feels unreal.’
As part of the big announcement of the new photo shoot on Tuesday, for which she flew to Porto, Portugal, she shared a video on her Instagram.
LSU gymnast Olivia Dunne has been named a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Rookie
Dunne shared a teaser clip from a photoshoot in Portugal when the news was announced
Dunne appeared to be in high spirits during the teaser video she shared from filming
The gymnast, who is dating top Major League Baseball prospect Paul Skenes, says in the footage: “Today we are in Porto, Portugal, filming for the 60th anniversary of the Sports Illustrated swim!”
Dunne also shared a picture from the shoot on her Instagram Story – as well as a picture of the cake celebrating the news with “Rookie” written on the icing.
Ratajkowski was named a rookie in 2014 and Culpo, who is engaged to San Francisco 49ers star Christian McCaffery, also received the honor in 2018.
It’s another big moment in a tumultuous year for Dunne.
Due to its popularity, she had to permanently switch to online courses at LSU.
She told Elle: “There have been some scares in the past and I just want to be as careful as possible.” “I don’t want people to know my daily routine and where I am.”
Earlier this year, Dunne appeared in her first-ever Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue
But the latest news marks another chapter in an incredible year for the gymnast
Dunne pictured with her boyfriend Paul Skenes, one of MLB’s top prospects, and their dog
Dunne’s growing popularity means she now only takes her classes at LSU online
At LSU’s first gymnastics meet of 2023, rowdy — and youthful — male fans were in attendance to catch a glimpse of Dunne; They chanted and reportedly propositioned other gymnasts.
“It was our first meeting of the season,” Dunne told Elle. “I knew my success had increased compared to previous years, but I didn’t expect so many people to be out there watching me and my team.
“I only realized it after the meeting when I saw the videos of it. I just thought, “Holy goodness.”
LSU Gymnastics then hired a bodyguard to protect her and the team from the throngs of screaming teenage fans who gathered at their competitions.
Aside from gymnastics, Dunne’s NIL deals have brought in an estimated $3 million in revenue over the last 12 months.