Jade Carey Trusts the Process

Jade Carey © Pinterest

With the 2026 World Gymnastics Championships approaching, Jade Carey is following a plan that values patience over urgency.

The two-time Olympic champion returned to elite gymnastics this season for the first time since the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, and despite questions from fans about new upgrades and more difficult skills, Carey is staying focused on long-term progress rather than short-term results.

At the 2026 U.S. Championships in her hometown of Phoenix, Carey delivered a flawless performance, completing all eight routines successfully across two days of competition. More importantly, she left the arena feeling confident that her preparation is moving in the right direction.

“I’m just proud of hitting 8-for-8 routines and continuing to build from here,” Carey said after the competition.

Building for the Future

For Carey and her father and coach, Brian Carey, the goal has never been to peak too early.

Instead of adding maximum difficulty before the national championships and then reducing training later in the season, they chose a different approach: gradually increase the difficulty and continue building toward the World Selection Camp at the end of September and, potentially, the World Championships in October.

The strategy is simple — stay healthy, avoid rushing upgrades and prepare not only for 2026, but also for the road leading to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

“Just being my first year back, we’re really trying to build smartly and safely,” Carey explained. “I want to be healthy for the next two or three years.”

The Upgrades Will Come

Fans have repeatedly asked when Carey will reintroduce her most difficult skills, including the powerful Cheng vault and more complex tumbling passes on floor exercise.

Carey remains calm about the process.

She knows those elements are coming, but she also understands that returning to elite gymnastics after time away requires patience.

“I obviously want to upgrade floor and vault, and that will come with time back in the sport,” she said.

For now, her priorities are consistency and clean execution.

On bars and beam, she is focusing on refining details, while floor exercise remains a work in progress with several possible options for future routines.

A Veteran Leader

At 25 years old, Carey has become one of the experienced leaders of the U.S. women’s team.

Her role now extends beyond her own performances. Younger gymnasts increasingly turn to her for support, advice and encouragement.

Carey says that attitude comes naturally from her love of the sport and the people around her.

“I want everyone to have a positive experience and know that I am someone they can come to if they need it,” she said.

One gymnast who has benefited from Carey’s support is Hezly Rivera, the 18-year-old national all-around champion.

Rivera recovered from mistakes on the opening day of the U.S. Championships to successfully defend her title, something Carey greatly admired.

“Hezly proved that one difficult day does not define an athlete,” Carey said.

Two years earlier, Carey had told Rivera, “You belong here.”

Today, she sees a young gymnast competing with confidence and determination.

The Final Chapter

Carey has previously spoken about viewing the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games as the final chapter of her elite career.

Competing at a home Olympics and finishing her journey on her own terms remains a major motivation.

But for now, the focus is not on distant goals.

It is about enjoying gymnastics, staying healthy and continuing to improve.

“Doing it for me and for the love of the sport,” Carey said. “I am still in a place where I’m physically and mentally able to do what I love.”

For Jade Carey, success in 2026 is not measured only by medals or difficulty scores.

It is measured by patience, smart preparation and trusting a process designed to last all the way to LA28.

Source: article on olympics.com By Scott Bregman August 18, 2026.

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By Vitalina Andrushchenko, Staff Writer