Jade Carey Named 2026 World Championships Alternate
The Olympic gymnast will serve as an alternate after participating in the recent U.S. selection camp.
Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Gymnastics
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Gymnast Jade Carey has been named a non-traveling alternate for the 2026 World Championships. The 26-year-old athlete secured her position after competing across two days at the U.S. women's selection camp in Crossville.
Why it matters
The decision to limit her involvement to an alternate role aligns with a broader training plan designed to pace her preparation for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games. Carey intentionally opted against performing her full floor exercise routine to prioritize her long-term recovery and skill development.
Carey recorded scores of 14.200 and 14.250 on the vault using a Cheng vault during the selection process. Her participation was marked by a strategic choice to omit her full floor exercise routine.
The players
Jade Carey
Jade Carey is an accomplished Olympic gymnast who has consistently performed at the elite level since beginning her professional career.
The details
At 26 years old, Carey returned to elite gymnastics in 2026 following her appearance at the Paris Olympic Games in 2024. During the selection camp held in October 2026, she focused her efforts on the vault to demonstrate her current capabilities while preserving her body for future competitive seasons.
Timeline
Carey last competed at the Paris Olympic Games in 2024.
She returned to elite gymnastics in 2026.
The selection camp for the 2026 World Championships took place in October 2026.
She is building toward the Los Angeles Olympic Games in 2028.
Season Trajectory
This appointment positions Carey as a depth member for the immediate world cycle while keeping her in the pool for future national team selections. It signals a shift toward load management that prioritizes longevity for the 2028 Olympic cycle over immediate participation in every major international meet.
Carey will remain in the United States as a non-traveling alternate, meaning she will not contribute scores toward the team total at the 2026 World Championships. This status confirms her continued eligibility for future national team camps as she builds toward the next Olympic cycle.
The takeaway
Carey is prioritizing a long-term approach to her gymnastics career by scaling back her routine complexity and competition schedule. This strategy underscores the importance of physical preservation for athletes aiming to compete at the highest level across multiple Olympic cycles.
Further reading
For more on the national team, visit the Gymnastics section.
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