Skye Blakely and Dulcy Caylor will represent the Florida gymnastics program at the 2026 Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Rotterdam, Netherlands, according to wruf.com. The international competition runs from Oct. 17-25, bringing together top athletes from around the globe.
Blakely secured a spot on the five-woman U.S. World Team following selection events held Wednesday and Thursday. Caylor earned the position of the team’s traveling replacement athlete, adding another layer of depth to the American delegation.
Rotterdam Selection Events Determine Final U.S. Roster
U.S. contenders competed across two days of selection trials to determine the roster for the upcoming championships. Day one allocated two spots based 60% on the selection event performance and 40% on combined championships results, sending Claire Pease and Charleigh Bullock to the team. Day two filled the remaining three positions.
Athletes competed in up to two categories for selection consideration. Blakely participated in the uneven bars and balance beam, scoring a 14.40 and 13.25, respectively. Caylor registered a 13.25 on the balance beam and a 13.15 on the floor exercise. Fellow Gator gymnast Simone Rose also contended for a spot, posting a 12.95 on bars and a 13.65 on beam, but missed the final roster. The selection committee ultimately named Blakely, Reese Esponda, and Hezly Rivera to fill the remaining three spots on the main squad.
World Championship Histories for Blakely and Caylor
Blakely brings extensive international experience to Rotterdam, marking her fourth appearance on the world stage. Her debut in 2022 yielded a team gold medal and a fifth-place finish on the balance beam. She repeated the team gold success in 2023, and in 2025 she placed fourth on the uneven bars. With her latest selection, Blakely becomes the only 2026 team member to have competed at the World Championships twice as a collegiate athlete.
Caylor is also familiar with elite international competition. During the 2025 World Championships, she competed in the all-around, balance beam, and floor exercise, finishing sixth on floor and eighth on beam. While she has signed with the Florida Gators, she deferred her enrollment until the fall of 2028 to focus on training for the 2028 Olympic Games.
The University of Florida gymnastics program maintains a streak of representation at major international events. It is currently the only NCAA program with a gymnast on the last three U.S. World Championship teams. Former Gator Leanne Wong competed in 2022, 2023, and 2025, while Kayla DiCello served as a replacement athlete for the 2023 squad. Blakely completes this multi-year trifecta with her bid for the 2026 event.
Competition Schedule in the Netherlands
The 2026 Artistic Gymnastics World Championships begin with Women’s Team Qualifications on Oct. 18. The Women’s Team Final takes place on Oct. 21. Individual event finals are scheduled for Oct. 23 through Oct. 25.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2026 World Championships
When and where are the 2026 Artistic Gymnastics World Championships taking place?
The competition is scheduled for Oct. 17-25 in Rotterdam, Netherlands. Women’s team qualifications officially open the event on Oct. 18.
What are the specific roles for Skye Blakely and Dulcy Caylor on the U.S. team?
Skye Blakely is named to the five-woman U.S. World Team, while Dulcy Caylor serves as the team’s traveling replacement athlete. Jade Carey was designated as the non-traveling alternate.
How does this selection impact the University of Florida gymnastics program?
With Blakely’s selection, Florida becomes the only NCAA program to have a gymnast on the last three consecutive U.S. World Championship teams, following previous appearances by Leanne Wong and Kayla DiCello.
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