Team USA came to Rotterdam chasing an eighth straight world team title, and it lost its most decorated gymnast before the first routine. Hezly Rivera, the 18-year-old Olympic gold medalist, withdrew from the world championships on Saturday with a left ankle injury, according to the Associated Press. Alternate Dulcy Caylor takes her spot on the five-woman team.

Rivera had trained with a heavily taped ankle earlier in the week and called herself day to day. It's the second straight year an ankle injury has kept her out of worlds. She was the youngest American Olympian in any sport at Paris 2024, at 16.

Skye Blakely Leads the U.S. Women in Rotterdam Qualifying

The Americans didn't flinch. Skye Blakely, a two-time world team champion, posted a 55.465 all-around score in Sunday's qualifying session at Rotterdam Ahoy, per NBC Sports. It's her world all-around debut, at her fourth championships, after an Achilles injury cost her a shot at the 2024 Olympic Trials.

Worlds rookie Claire Pease scored 54.432, and Charleigh Bullock, 16, the youngest American at worlds since 2018, scored 53.499. Only two gymnasts per country can make the 24-woman all-around final, so Blakely and Pease are in line for those spots. Most countries were still to compete on Sunday and Monday, but the U.S. led the early team standings ahead of Italy and Japan.

This is the first U.S. world team since 2011 with no Olympian on it, according to NBC Sports. Two streaks are on the line: seven straight world team titles, and an American on the all-around podium at 23 straight Olympics and worlds dating to 2003.

U.S. Men Qualify Fifth Behind Japan

The U.S. men qualified fifth for Tuesday's eight-team final, with Olympic champion Japan on top. Frederick Richard, the lone 2024 Olympian on the men's team, and 19-year-old Danila Leykin made Thursday's all-around final in 11th and 24th. Richard also reached the floor final, and 2025 world bronze medalist Patty Hoopes made the pommel horse final.

2026 World Gymnastics Championships Schedule

The women's team final is Wednesday, October 21, and the women's all-around final is Friday, October 23, with event finals closing the meet on October 24 and 25. Follow USA Gymnastics on BallerTube for more from Rotterdam.