NCAA Gymnastics Season: LSU Tigers Dominate Regional Championships, Kathy Johnson’s Retirement Rumors

The 2024 NCAA Gymnastics season has been full of excitement and surprises, with the LSU Tigers dominating the Fayetteville, Arkansas Final and securing a spot in the NCAA Semifinals. However, amidst the celebrations, sad news has emerged in the gymnastics world.

Kathy Johnson, a well-known gymnast and former Olympic athlete, has announced her retirement from broadcasting. The 64-year-old, who transitioned from a successful gymnastics career to become a sports commentator with ESPN and ABC-TV, has decided to step away from the broadcasting world. Speculations arose regarding the reasons behind her retirement, with some suggesting that disparities in NCAA Gymnastics may have played a role.

In a statement on Reddit, Johnson clarified that her decision to retire was not due to judging controversies or nonsensical scores in gymnastics competitions. Instead, she expressed feeling “retired as irrelevant, a relic from the past.” The gymnastics community has been buzzing with discussions about unfair judging practices and inflated scores in recent seasons, which may have influenced Johnson’s decision to retire.

As Johnson bids farewell to her broadcasting career, fans have expressed their disappointment and admiration for the gymnastics legend. Many fans took to social media to share their love and appreciation for Johnson, with some expressing sadness that she will no longer be a part of the gymnastics broadcast team. Aly Raisman, another gymnastics icon, will be stepping in to fill Johnson’s shoes as an analyst for NCAA Gymnastics broadcasts, but fans will surely miss Johnson’s presence and expertise in the sport.